Mazuz urged to probe legality of Hebraizing road signs

Heated debated over transportation minister's decision to standardize roadside signs by Hebraizing English, Arab names continues, as AG is called to explore move's legitimacy

Udi Etzion
Published: 07.14.09, 11:18 / Israel News

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz's decision to standardize all the roadside signs across Israel's highways by Hebraizing their English and Arab names, continues to stir controversy.

According to a Tuesday report in Yedioth Ahronoth, Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron appealed to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and demanded he probes the legitimacy of the act.

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Transportation Ministry to Hebraize road signs / Udi Etzion

Minister Katz concocts plan meant to create uniform spelling of names on roadside signs so that English, Arabic names will mimic Hebrew ones. Arab MKs slam move: 'Yisrael Katz will come and go but Shefa-'Amr is here to stay,' says Hadash Chairman Barakeh

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"Arabic is an official language in Israel. The transportation minister's initiative is nothing but ugly, unnecessary provocation and an attempt to create a quarrel," he said.

MK Talab El-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) added that Katz's move "was another move which reflects racist beliefs. This is an attempt to distort historical facts."

Despite the harsh criticism, the Transportation Ministry is expected to publish an updated list of about 2,500 names of both communities and geographical datum points, which will now be written according to Hebrew transliteration.

The ministry is also expected to distribute the new ordinance to all of road agencies, the likes of the Israel National Road Company, Ayalon Highway Ltd., Hoze Israel Highway – which builds Highway 6, the trans-Israel highway, and various local authorities.

The ministry intends on posting its new signs starting August.

Zvika Brot contributed to this report

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