Three years after NIF grantee Sikkuy – The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality launched its efforts to add Arabic to all the signs at Ben Gurion Airport, the campaign has achieved a major breakthrough: Arabic-speakers returning from abroad will now be greeted by a sign at the airport saying ‘Welcome to Israel’ in Arabic. This is a welcome step. And while every small step is welcome, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all signs at the airport are in Arabic, as well as in Hebrew and English.

Ten months ago, Sikkuy staff was taken on a tour of Ben Gurion airport to see how much progress had been made in implementing the Arabic signage. At the time Sikkuy staff pointed out the problematic nature of there being no “Welcome to Israel” sign in Arabic. Sikkuy staff is proud that this has now been corrected.