If I wanted to live in Israel, do I have to learn Hebrew?

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simm

You don't have to, but it would definitely help you get integrated properly into Israeli society.

It also depends on where you want to live. In certain parts of Jerusalem, English almost feels like the main language and Israelis will switch to English on you even if you speak almost fluent Hebrew with just a slight English accent.

In general it really helps to understand what's going on around you, no matter what area you live in.

Desmond B

Not necessarily, it would help. But many Israelis speak english.

joe the man

it would be very helpful since that is the language of the country, although some people havent learnt it properly after years of being in israel and they get along with english or russian.

iameJPAJDL

It's a difficult language to learn,still trying :-)

As the others replied most Israeli's speak English & some stores/resturants ie signs are in both languages..

Shalom

Felix C

I worked in the medical field for years. Nothing was more frustrating than having to treat patients that refused to learn the language.
If they want to live here they should learn the language.
Were I moving to Israel, though it took me years of study, I would at least try.

Israel8491

You will eventually have to learn Hebrew. It is not neccessary to go there already knowing the language, although it would undoubtedly make the transition much easier.
Many Israelis speak English, but all speak Hebrew. All the signs are in Hebrew. Although it is possible to just pick up the language as you go along, you might want to have learned a few phrases and the alphabet before then.
EDIT:
Adam Z- When did you go to Israel? I was there last summer, and trust me, all the signs are in Hebrew.

Adam Z

you dont have to already know it, but it helps. when youre there, you can also take government classes to learn hebrew - i think there free

by the way, all street signs are also in english, and most businesses can tell you the information in reasonable if not fluent english

gail

king of the Jungle

dumbness is contagious

Asherah supports Geert Wilders

It is better if you do, but you can get away with speaking English anyway

cara

I don't think it's as difficult as people say. I think speaking and being understood is acutally easier than many other languages.
Once you're there, you can do an ulpan course and within some months you can get along.
I do think you need it or life will be difficult. Yes, most Israelis know English but not all and sometimes not well. And you might perhaps also want to be able to read a newspaper, understand what people say without eacht time having to say that you don't understand the language.
If you know at least the alphabet, you can already read signs (supermarket etc.), that helps enormously. :-)

no, but u have to learn how to die, its gonna happen

lemon_lorrain

Even the Arabs speak Hebrew--the language of the Hebrew Man.

Gal O

no... there are israelis who know only English...

and dont believe to the first comment-it's arabic

Lebanese Cheese

No, a lot of israelies know english. At least enough for yall to understand eachother 'til you learn hebrew.

Only problem would be if ya wanna go to gaza, you'd have to learn jihad talk. here's a few lines of jihadish to get you started:

JIHAD ALLAH MUHAMMAD! - "Where's is the bathroom?"

ALLAH ALLAH DURKA - "Today is lovely"

JIHAD ALLAH JIHAAAAD! - "That outfit looks stunning on you"

zion no more

No. Learn German or Russian.

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