The Israeli government announced a plan on Sunday to advance Hebrew language proficiency among Arabic speakers, with a budget allocation of NIS 744 million ($202 million).
The initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to foster social integration and reduce crime in Arab communities, the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Education announced in a joint statement.
“Hebrew language proficiency is essential for full integration into Israeli society,” the statement said. Improved Hebrew skills will create new employment opportunities for Arabs, including in academia, enhance access to critical services and promote cooperation between Jewish and Arab communities, it continued.
“The Israeli government is taking a strategic step today with a major financial investment that will directly impact the integration of Israeli Arabs into Israeli society and, as a result, support efforts to combat the rise of crime in Arab communities,” the statement quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch said the plan “will enable growth for the Arab community and strengthen Israeli society as a whole.”
Social Equality Minister May Golan noted that the plan “includes enforcement measures to ensure Arabic-speaking students genuinely learn Hebrew as part of a mandatory framework.”
In overseeing the program, the Ministry of Education will focus on improving teacher training; enhancing teaching and assessment methods; advancing spoken Hebrew proficiency; and establishing effective management systems to ensure success.