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Israel recognises 'Aramaics' as separate ethnic group

A group of Aramaic speakers in the Galilee are celebrating after they won the right to change their designation in the Israeli population registry from "Arab" to the newly created "Aramaic."

  

Supporters say Israel's agreement to allow the group to define itself as "Aramaic" is a sign of ethnic tolerance. But critics call it an attempt by the government to encourage splits within its Arab population.

 

The campaigners are all residents of the village of Jish and belong to the Maronite Church, which took root in fifth-century Lebanon. Its liturgical language is Aramaic, dialects of which are spoken by no more than a few hundred thousand people across the world.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.09.14, 09:26