Saudi Arabia is making significant changes to how Israel, Jews and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are presented in its school textbooks, according to a report cited by Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv.
The report, based on an analysis of Saudi curricula from 2024 to 2026 by research institute IMPACT-se, found that Saudi authorities have removed what were described as hostile references and softened some language concerning Israel and the conflict.
One notable change involves an Arabic-language textbook for Year 11. The 2023–2024 edition included the statement, “Muslims will not give up Jerusalem,” but the wording was removed from editions beginning in the 2024–2025 academic year.
IMPACT-se said the change removed a politically and religiously sensitive reference that portrayed Muslim control or presence in Jerusalem as being under threat.
The curriculum reforms are part of broader changes associated with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
