What Languages Are Spoken in Israel?

Did you know that there are over 8 official languages in Israel? While the majority of Israeli citizens speak Hebrew, Arabic is also an official language and it is estimated that over one million people in Israel speak Arabic as their first language. Let’s take a look at all of the official languages spoken in Israel.

What is The Official Language of Israel?

Hebrew is the official language of Israel, serving as the primary medium of communication throughout the country. This Semitic language has experienced a significant revival from being mainly a liturgical language to becoming a vibrant everyday spoken and cultural vernacular since the late 19th century. It is integral to all aspects of Israeli life, including education, government, and media. Previously, Arabic was an official language, but following the Nation-State Law of 2018, its status was changed to that of a special status language. Despite this, Arabic continues to be widely spoken by the Arab minority in Israel and remains prominent in public signage, government communication, and education. 

Main Languages

• Hebrew: Revived as a modern spoken language during the Zionist movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hebrew transitioned from religious texts to everyday use, uniting immigrants from diverse linguistic backgrounds. It is now the official language and is prevalent in all aspects of life in Israel, including education, media, and government.
• Arabic: Arabic's presence in the region predates modern Israel and was reinforced during the periods of Ottoman and British rule. Although its official status was modified in 2018, Arabic continues to be spoken widely by Israel's Arab citizens and retains a special status, ensuring its use in public and governmental contexts in Arabic-speaking areas.

Popular Foreign Languages

• English - English is a widely spoken language of Israel due to its long history as a language of commerce between international traders and merchants. English has also been taught in schools since the 1940s and it is now estimated that more than 85% of Israelis can speak English to some degree. English is also used extensively within government departments and businesses across the country.
• Russian - Russian began to be spoken in large numbers following the large influx of Jewish immigrants from Russia who arrived after 1989 when restrictions on Jewish immigration from Soviet countries were lifted. Russian is now Israel's third most commonly spoken language after Hebrew and Arabic with roughly 1/3rd of Israelis claiming to speak Russian either fluently or moderately well. It is even estimated that there may be more native Russian-speaking Israelis than Arab-speaking ones!

Minority Languages

• Amharic - Amharic is an Afro-Asiatic language that originated from Ethiopia but it has been adopted by many Jews from Ethiopia who have settled in Israel since the 1980s. As such, Amharic became an official language in 2003 with around 100 thousand people speaking it as their mother tongue today - making it one of the least spoken out of all 8 national Israeli languages!
• Yiddish: Yiddish was the historical language of many Ashkenazi Jews. While its use has declined, it remains culturally significant, particularly within ultra-Orthodox communities where it is still spoken daily.
• Spanish: Spanish found its place in Israel predominantly due to the immigration waves from Argentina, particularly during the economic crises in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, which prompted many Argentinians to relocate. Additionally, immigrants from other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America have contributed to the prevalence of Spanish. 
• Portuguese: The presence of Portuguese in Israel is largely attributed to Brazilian immigrants, who started arriving in greater numbers in the 1990s and early 2000s, seeking better economic opportunities and a connection to the Holy Land. 

In conclusion, Hebrew is the main language of the Jewish population and is also the official language of the state, while Arabic is primarily spoken by the Arab population. In addition to Hebrew and Arabic, there are also smaller communities in Israel that speak other languages, such as Amharic, Yiddish, and Ladino.