It is now learned that in a move that seems to have elicited the ire of many a left-winger, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has ordered many road signs around Israel replaced to reflect the Hebrew name in English and Arabic, and to once and for all set a spelling standard.
From now on, the English and Arabic names will be a transliteration of the Hebrew. For example, Jerusalem will become Yerushalayim, Nazareth will become Natsrat and Caesarea will become Kesariya.
Katz explains the current system is simply too confusing for travelers relying on Arabic and English, explaining many haven’t a clue that the Sea of Galilee is the Kinneret. He also feels the time has come to standardize spelling, explaining there are many variations of Caesarea for example, including Ceysaria, Qesarya and Qesariyya to mention a few.
Katz also explains many areas have previous names, names that were used pre-1948, insisting he will not lend a hand to promoting agendas other than the State of Israel. “If someone wishes to refer to Jerusalem as al-Quds he may do so but this government will not lend a hand to such a policy” he explained, pointing out the Jerusalem signs in Arabic read “al-Quds”. Not every sign will be changed, and senior officials in his office will use their judgment to decide. Hundreds of signs nationwide however will be redone to reflect their Hebrew name.
Katz is confident the Arab population will be fine, explaining there are no Arabs who are unaware that Yerushalayim is Jerusalem. On the other hand, regarding areas “B”, under PA municipal rule and Israeli security responsibility, Katz stated he has not problem with a sign reading “Shechem” in Hebrew and “Nablus:” in Arabic. He feels signs must reflect the lifestyle of residents but across Israel, this comes into play with the Hebrew transliteration.
Ministry officials add the price will not be too costly since only a number of signs will be replaced in the first stage, signs requiring corrective measures due to spelling. Others will be replaced gradually as old signs are taken out of service for new ones.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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9 Responses
Will they correct the currency too by changing 20 sheqels to 20 shekel?
Will Bnei Braq be changed to Bnei Brak?
Good.
( I can’t believe Jewish people are against this.)
azi – u misunderstood the article, reread.
There have been instances of tourists getting lost and going into Arab enclaves due to the crazy misspelling of cities. MK Katz and MK Litzman are worth their positions in the knesset.
Is this why Gilad Shalit is still in captivity? Because we are too busy performing “spellcheck”? May the Rebono Shel Olam see to his release BEKOROV MAMASH!!!
This is crazy. If anything, English signs should use the common English names. Jerusalem, not Yerushalayim. Even I usually write Jerusalem when writing in English.
May he and we never have any bigger worries
Funny, I just noticed the sign for French Hill now says Givat Hatzarfatit in English.
what about Safed???
the israeli news (English) still calls Tzfat Safed
The source of the name French Hill is unclear. It may be named after a British General, John French, 1st Earl of Ypres who, according to legend, had his headquarters on this hill. However, French never served in this region [1], [2], so this theory appears inaccurate.
According to Israeli geographer Zev Vilnay, the land belonged to the Catholic Monastery of St. Anne, whose monks hailed mainly from France.[2]. Thus the Hebrew name, Hagivah HaTsarfatit, which means “the French hill” appears accurate.
Had the basis for the name been General French, correct name in Hebrew would be Givat French (proper names aren’t translated, and Tzarfat is France in Hebrew) or “French’s Hill” [3].