In Israel, a push to learn the language of 'the enemy'

Jerusalem (CSM) 26 June -- The current decline in the study of Arabic in Israeli schools could compromise coexistence efforts and the military's ability to gather intelligence. But one program is countering that trend -- Arabic teacher Essam Shihada's casual dress – sneakers and a Mickey Mouse T-shirt – contrasts with the seriousness of what he is trying to do: endear Israeli Jewish pupils to the study of the "'enemy's language.'' A few minutes after fielding questions from Mr. Shihada and each other about how many siblings they have and where their parents work, the class of Israeli youngsters is enthusiastically singing the words of an ancient Arabic folk song about harvesting olives.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/0626/In-Israel-a-push-to-learn-the-language-of-the-enemy