The Media Line: Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooks   

Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooks   

By The Media Line Staff   

Saudi Arabia has removed the remaining examples of antisemitic and extremist content identified in its 2025–2026 school textbooks, continuing curriculum reforms aimed at advancing religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and the kingdom’s Vision 2030 modernization goals, according to reports by education watchdog IMPACT-se.  

Among the passages eliminated was a Grade 7 hadith that compared religious minorities to maimed animals. Text stating that Jews were destined for hell and material discouraging Muslims from befriending Jews and Christians were also removed.  

The revised curriculum no longer includes a passage suggesting Jewish influence contributed to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.  

Language concerning Israel has also been moderated. Textbooks have replaced descriptions such as “the Zionist enemy” with “the Israeli occupation,” while the statement “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” has been deleted. Israel, however, remains unnamed on official maps, and the Holocaust continues to receive little attention in the curriculum.  

Other changes emphasize interfaith relations. Lessons now highlight peace agreements made by the Prophet Muhammad with Jewish, Christian, and Arab tribes, while secondary-level critical-thinking textbooks present peaceful coexistence and open dialogue as fundamental human needs.  

Material dealing with jihad and warfare has also been revised. A Grade 9 Islamic studies textbook explicitly prohibits harming noncombatants, while a Grade 12 rhetoric textbook no longer contains a passage celebrating martyrdom in battle.  

One previous change was partially reversed. A Grade 10 Islamic studies textbook restored a passage linking jihad to obedience to the King after it had previously been removed.  

The curriculum continues to explicitly condemn extremist and terrorist organizations. Islamic State, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, the Houthis and the Muslim Brotherhood are identified as groups promoting terrorism and extremism.