In modern times the transcription of Hebrew words into Arabic characters is used mainly in the Arab press, in order to refer to Hebrew place names and personal names, and also in road signs, street names, and the like in Israel.

The Arab press uses various transcription methods, which will not be discussed in the present entry. Here we will describe the official transcription of the State of Israel, as used in official maps and signposts.

In the year 2000 the Center for the Mapping of Israel (the government body responsible for mapping the country) published a booklet w…