Hebrew versus Arabic: Israel's linguistic landscape and national identity construction

This research paper examines the shifting legal and social status of the Arabic language in Israel following the passage of the 2018 Nation-State Law. Case studies highlight a growing divide between the de jure protections offered by the court system and the de facto marginalization experienced by Arabic speakers in public spheres like healthcare and education. While the state maintains that the law merely codifies Hebrew as the primary language without harming Arabic, critics argue it institutionalizes linguistic discrimination and alienates the Arabic-speaking minority while simultaneously eliminating the framework for recognition of other minority languages within Israel. This can be contextualized within a larger movement to define Israeli national identity and attempt to express it through the passage of basic laws and the creation of a cohesive linguistic landscape. Drawing on interdisciplinary sources, the analysis demonstrates how the assertion of the Hebrew language is a tool of national identity, framing it within Israel’s national identity problematique.