Opinion
Israelis, learn Arabic
Yaron Friedman
Published: 10.06.12, 19:32
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38 Talkbacks for this article
31. Why do haredis can learn easy arabic?
J.Gedalov ,   Israel   (06.12.12)
first they learned hebrew
32. we can speak to Arabs in English
Tomer ,   herzeliya   (06.12.12)
Good English is the solution
33. Look up LearnArabicWithMaha
Johnny   (06.12.12)
She is a charming Israeli girl from Kfar Yasif who lives in Italy with her husband. She has made about 330 youtube videos on Basic Arabic
34. Many ‘arabs’ are Jews...(re:#22, #30)
solomon ,   bklyn   (06.12.12)
who speak arabic because of their family heritage. If you are from Europe and your family speaks/spoke a European language, including Yiddish, hopefully you have learnt some of it. Many Mizrahi Jews still speak arabic and are rightly proud of it (ever hear of Shabazi?). Many of your favorite singers are Mizrahi and sing your favorite songs, which are in arabic. I know it is difficult to separate the enemy from the friend and fellow Jew, but this should be done. Otherwise you are condemning people because of their background and I thought that this particular condemnation has already been worked through in Israel. Read post 22. And no, #30, not all arab homes are on the other side of the river. Many are your friends, neighbors and fellow Jews.
35. #33 johnny
solomon ,   bklyn   (06.12.12)
Thanks for the info. What dialect does she teach?
36. #34 Wrong terminology. Musta'arabim, not "Arab Jews"
Jake   (06.13.12)
You are not correct. Jews and Arabs are two different ethnic groups, two separate nations, and the term "Arab Jew" is simply an abstraction and a misnomer. Historically, those Jews who lived in Arab societies and took on Arabic language and customs were called "Musta'arabi" Jews, or "Musta'arabim" (look it up), meaning "Arabized", not "Arab". In modern times, Jews did not embrace, nor were they embraced by, Arab nationalism. Hence, Jews from this background have become known as Mizrachi Jews, and not as "Arab Jews". And I should know, because that is my heritage too.
37. #36 jake - 2nd try
solomon ,   bklyn   (06.15.12)
Then what of Jews who call themselves Moroccan Jews, Yemenite Jews, etc? Haven't they in some sense embraced arab nationalism by declaring an allegiance or identification with a presently arab country?
38. Israeli's should learn Hebrew
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (06.30.12)
It would be a nice start if some high school graduates came out speaking and reading their own language properly.
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