“We will keep speaking Arabic”: Arab Knesset member pushes back against 'Israeli' far-right

A wave of criticism has escalated within the 'Israeli' Knesset over the use of the Arabic language in parliamentary sessions, after Knesset member Aida Touma-Suleiman, a prominent journalist and politician, declared that she would continue speaking Arabic despite what she described as the “ferocity and recklessness of right-wing elements” targeting Arab lawmakers.

In a press statement, Touma-Suleiman affirmed that speaking Arabic in the Knesset is not merely a personal choice but “a direct message to our authentic Arab community,” emphasizing that her mother tongue is a means of communication and a reflection of identity and belonging. She said, “We speak our language because it is ours, and because it expresses our existence, which cannot be erased.”

The lawmaker described the harsh reactions faced by Arab members as an attempt to silence them, adding, “It’s as if being Arab or speaking Arabic has become a crime.”

She pointed out that such attitudes reflect the bias of some far-right Knesset members against the Arab minority and represent an effort to limit their presence and influence within the legislative body.

Touma-Suleiman stressed that these challenges would not deter her or her colleagues from continuing to defend the rights of the Arab minority in the 'Israeli' entity, including the right to use Arabic in parliament and public facilities, and to demand full recognition of the minority’s cultural and linguistic identity. She said, “We will continue speaking Arabic because it is part of our identity, part of our history, and we will not allow anyone to erase or undermine it.”

The lawmaker considers this issue to be one of the most symbolic aspects of the Arab struggle within the 'Israeli' entity, as the Arabic language serves as a key link between Arab citizens and their national and cultural identity.

She added that holding on to Arabic in the Knesset sends a clear message to 'Israeli' society as a whole that minorities have the right to express themselves freely within state institutions.

Touma-Suleiman’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Knesset over the rights and identity of the Arab minority, as Arab lawmakers often face hostility or attempts to silence them during parliamentary debates, especially when discussing issues related to the Arab community.

Observers note that such behavior reflects an escalation by the far right aimed at weakening the influence of Arab lawmakers, but at the same time, it highlights the lawmakers’ determination to protect their community’s rights and defend their language and culture.

It is well known that the Arabic language has long been a politically sensitive issue in 'Israel', with Arab lawmakers for years calling for its broader official use in public and governmental institutions, reflecting the diversity of 'Israeli' society and ensuring the rights of the Arab minority.

Touma-Suleiman emphasized that this commitment goes beyond the linguistic dimension and extends to defending the identity and status of Arabs within the state, as well as preserving their cultural and social history.

At the parliamentary level, she announced that she would work with her colleagues in the Knesset to confront any attempts to restrict or diminish the role of Arabic, stressing that “no amount of provocation or hostility will stop us from speaking our mother tongue and defending our community’s rights.”

She also affirmed that defending Arab identity in the Knesset is part of a broader struggle for justice and equality within the 'Israeli' entity, and that the Arabic language will remain a powerful symbol of that struggle.