Arabic is an official language in Israel, but various institutions often fail to observe the legal obligation to provide information in Arabic.
HaMoked has recently begun addressing the issue of the electronic signs that have been installed in some of Jerusalem's bus stops. The signs indicate the bus number, its destination and its expected arrival time at the stop. The information is displayed in Hebrew and English only.
On January 16, 2014,
HaMoked wrote to the executive director of the "Jerusalem Transport Master Plan Team (JTMT)", demanding the electronic signs display the information in Arabic as well. HaMoked stressed the special importance of the issue particularly in Jerusalem, a city many of whose residents are Arabic speakers who are unable to use the vital information displayed on the signs.
JTMT staff were initially surprised to find out that the signs did not display information in Arabic considering the fact that according to the tender issued for electronic signage in Jerusalem, the contractor explicitly undertook to install signs allowing Arabic, English and Hebrew display.
In response to HaMoked's letter, the JTMT reported that the contractor had been instructed to make sure the information is displayed in Arabic as soon as possible and that he would do so within two to three months. The Ministry of Transportation has, in the meantime, begun making preparations to allow the transmission of information in Arabic and in future, it will be possible to display information in Arabic on electronic signs elsewhere in the country.
