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Knesset passes bill recognizing Israeli Sign Language

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Approved/passed
  • The Knesset has passed a bill granting official state recognition to Israeli Sign Language.
  • The legislation aims to acknowledge Israeli Sign Language as the natural language of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in Israel, recognizing its role in their identity and culture.
  • The bill's implementation will be overseen by the Culture and Sports Minister, with the Academy of the Hebrew Language tasked with its preservation and promotion.

In a significant move for accessibility and inclusion, the Israeli Knesset has passed a bill officially recognizing Israeli Sign Language as a state language. The legislation, which cleared its second and third readings on Monday with unanimous support, affirms the language's crucial role for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Israel.

Israeli Sign Language serves as the main language and as a means of creating communication and conveying messages among deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Israel who use it. In addition, Israeli Sign Language plays a part in the identity, culture, and pride of members of the deaf community in Israel. The purpose of the bill is to recognize Israeli Sign Language as the natural language of deaf people in Israel.

— Bill's explanatory notesExplaining the significance and purpose of recognizing Israeli Sign Language.

The bill's explanatory notes highlight that Israeli Sign Language serves as the primary means of communication and expression for deaf individuals, playing a vital part in their identity, culture, and pride. The legislation's purpose is to formally acknowledge it as the "natural language of deaf people in Israel."

MKs Avichai Boaron (Likud) and Chili Tropper (National Unity) initiated the bill, which passed with the support of six MKs and no opposition or abstentions. Tropper emphasized the importance of cross-coalition cooperation, calling it a "moment of grace" during difficult times for Israel.

These are difficult days for the people of Israel, but there are moments of grace, and this is one such moment.

— Chili TropperCommenting on the passage of the bill amidst challenging times for Israel.

Former MK Shirley Pinto, a deaf political activist who championed the issue, hailed the bill's passage as "a historic day for the State of Israel." She described the legal recognition as a victory for justice, equality, and accessibility, expressing hope that "every citizen will feel that they belong and have access in Israeli society." Pinto, a founder of The Israeli Center for Deaf Studies, is fluent in Israeli Sign Language.

a historic day for the State of Israel.

— Shirley PintoDescribing the significance of the Knesset passing the bill recognizing Israeli Sign Language.

The implementation of the law will fall under the purview of Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar. The Academy of the Hebrew Language will be responsible for preserving, developing, and promoting Israeli Sign Language nationwide.

The time has come for every citizen to feel that they belong and have access in Israeli society.

— Shirley PintoExpressing her hope for inclusivity following the bill's recognition of Israeli Sign Language.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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