Arameans in Israel

Arameans in Israel
Total population
10,500 (2013)[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Israel
Languages
Religion
Syriac Christianity

Arameans in Israel are persons residing in Israel who identify as Arameans (or Aramaeans), (Aramaic: ܐܪ̈ܡܝܐ‎, ארמיא ; ʼaramáyé), a Northwest Semitic people who originated in what is now present-day western, southern and central Syria (Biblical Aram) during the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age.[2][3]

Some Syriac Christians in the Middle East (particularly in Syria and Israel) still espouse an Aramean ethnic identity to this day and a minority still speak various Aramaic dialects or languages. Most of the self-identified Aramaeans in Israel are of Maronite congregation. The Maronite residents of Jish, a subset of Maronites in Israel, relate to themselves as Aramean Christian Maronite peoples.[4] Until 2014, self-identified Arameans in Israel used to be registered as ethnic Arabs. However, since September 2014, Christian families or clans who can speak Aramaic and/or have an Aramaic family tradition are eligible to register as ethnic Arameans in Israel.[5]

History

Aramaean people originated in what is now present-day western, southern and central Syria (Biblical Aram) during the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age.[2][3]

Large groups migrated to Babylonia in southern Mesopotamia during the 11th and 10th centuries BC, where they established small semi-independent Aramaic kingdoms, in the Levant and in Mesopotamia conquered Aramean populations were forcibly deported throughout the Babylonian Empire, e.g. under the rule of king Tiglath-Pileser III. In the early 13th century BC, much of Israel came under Aramean rule for eight years according to the Biblical Book of Judges, until Othniel defeated the forces led by Chushan-Rishathaim, the King of Aram-Naharaim. Other entities mentioned in the Hebrew Bible include Aram Damascus and Aram Rehob.

Recognition of the Aramean Ethnicity

Aramean flag

In September 2014, Ministry of the Interior Gideon Sa'ar instructed the PIBA to recognize Arameans as an ethnicity separate from Israeli Arabs. Under the Ministry of the Interior's guidance, Christians born in to Christian families or clans who can speak Aramaic are eligible to register as Arameans. About 200 Christian families are thought to be eligible.[6] The first person to receive the "Aramean" ethnic status in Israel was 2 year old Yaakov Halul in Jish on October 20, 2014.[7]

Controversy

The recognition of the Aramean ethnicity caused mixed reactions among Israeli minorities, the Christian community, and Palestinians. While some celebrated the success of their long legal struggle to be recognized as a non-Arab ethnic minority, other members of the Arab community in Israel denounced it as an attempt to divide Arab Christians.[8] Representatives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate officially denounced the move.[8] Many in Israeli academia advocate the recognition of the Aramean identity and have called on the government of Israel to promote the awareness regarding this issue on the basis of the international principle of ethnic self-determination as espoused by Wilson's 14 points.[9] One of the staunchest supporters of the recognition of the Aramean identity is Father Gabriel Naddaf, who is one of the leaders of the Christians in Israel. He advocated on behalf of his Aramean followers and thanked the Interior Ministry's decision as a "historic move".[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. 1 2
  3. 1 2
  4. ↑ "Aramaic Maronite Center". Aramaic-center.com. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
  5. ↑ Yalon, Yori (17 September 2014). "'Aramean' officially recognized as nationality in Israel". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  6. ↑ Lis, Jonathan (17 September 2014). "Israel recognizes Aramean minority in Israel as separate nationality". Haaretz. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  7. ↑ Newman, Marissa (21 October 2014). "In first, Israeli Christian child registers as Aramean". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  8. 1 2 Cohen, Ariel (28 September 2014). "Israeli Greek Orthodox Church denounces Aramaic Christian nationality". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  9. ↑ http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/15717#.VLZWApv9ka4
  10. ↑ http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/185214#.VLZaQZv9ka4
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