Arabs in Israel Study Exclusively in Their Native Language 0 45

More than 2 million Arabs live in Israel, citizens of the country.

Although Arabic formally ceased to be an official language in 2018, it remains the second language of the country. This is evident everywhere: road signs, government websites, building plaques — everything is duplicated in Arabic.

But the main point is that there are state schools in Israel where education is conducted entirely in Arabic.

The Israeli education system is divided not only by age but also by sectors. There are Jewish schools and there are schools for Arabs, Bedouins, Druze, and Circassians. All of them are state-funded, free, and open to everyone. Arabic schools allow for the preservation of cultural identity, while also including the study of Hebrew and familiarization with Jewish traditions — for integration into the broader society.

In Jewish schools, Arabic is mandatory in grades 7–9, and in Jerusalem, it is taught as early as elementary school — classes are conducted by Arab student interns. This is part of a program aimed at bridging the Eastern and Western parts of the city.

The curricula of Arabic schools are under the control of the Ministry of Education. However, according to Haaretz, there are also problems: pressure from criminal organizations, threats to directors, attempts to impose contracts for security, food, or transportation. This reflects the reality of the Arab sector, where "might often rules."

Here is how the population of Arab descent is distributed.

Higher Education — Without Division

All Israeli universities and colleges are mixed. However, in several institutions, the majority are Arab students, which is related to geography and the linguistic environment.

Today, Arabs make up about 17% of all students in Israel — and this is one of the highest rates in history. Their presence is particularly noticeable in medicine: among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.