The bill, initiated by MKs Avichai Boaron (Likud) and Chili Tropper (National Unity), passed with the support of six MKs and with no opponents or abstentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsraeli Sign Language serves as the main language and as a means of creating communication and conveying messages among deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Israel who use it,\u201d said the explanatory notes of the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, Israeli Sign Language plays a part in the identity, culture, and pride of members of the deaf community in Israel. The purpose of the bill is to recognize Israeli Sign Language as the natural language of deaf people in Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tropper said the bill passed thanks to cooperation between the coalition and the opposition. \u201cThese are difficult days for the people of Israel, but there are moments of grace, and this is one such moment,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Former MK Shirley Pinto (National Unity), who had promoted the issue in the past, welcomed the legislation’s completion and described the step as \u201ca historic day for the State of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
The language\u2019s official recognition in law is a victory for justice, equality, and accessibility, according to Pinto, who thanked the law’s initiators and the social activist Boaz Ehad Ha\u2019am for leading the move.<\/p>\n
Pinto, a deaf political activist, is fluent in Israeli Sign Language and is one of the founders of The Israeli Center for Deaf<\/a> Studies.<\/p>\n \u201cThe time has come for every citizen to feel that they belong and have access in Israeli society,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n