Arabic is already taught by more than 1,000 Jewish teachers in Israel.
Dr Shlomo Alon, from Israel’s education ministry, said: "Arabic is an official language in this state and this is how it should be.
"Studying Arabic will convey a message of acceptance."
As the JC reported last week, Arabic classes have also been planned for children in Jewish schools in the West Bank.
The mayor of Efrat, a town south-west of Jerusalem, has ordered schools to run three hours of Arabic lessons every week.