Saudi Arabia removed antisemitic passages from 2025–26 textbooks
Saudi Arabia removed passages portraying Jews and religious minorities negatively from its 2025–26 schoolbooks, while moderating some references to Israel. Israel remains unnamed on official maps.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
The story at a glanceReported details
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
Event date: The curriculum review concerned textbooks used during the 2025–2026 academic year. [1][2]
What happened
The revised books removed a Grade 7 hadith comparing religious minorities to maimed animals, along with statements that Jews were destined for hell and that Muslims should avoid friendship with Jews and Christians. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooksthemedialine.org · Article published: Aug 18, 2026, 3:17 PM UTC
The curriculum no longer includes a passage suggesting Jewish influence contributed to the Ottoman Empire’s collapse. In some references, “the Zionist enemy” was replaced with “the Israeli occupation.” [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooksthemedialine.org · Article published: Aug 18, 2026, 3:17 PM UTC
The phrase “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” was deleted from a textbook. The review examined 136 books used during the 2025–26 academic year. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Saudi textbooks remove 'Muslims will never give up Jerusalem'siasat.com · Article published: Aug 19, 2026, 1:33 PM UTC
Other revisions added lessons on peace agreements involving Jewish, Christian and Arab tribes and stated that harming noncombatants is prohibited. A Grade 12 rhetoric text also dropped language celebrating martyrdom in battle. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooksthemedialine.org · Article published: Aug 18, 2026, 3:17 PM UTC
Context from the sources
IMPACT-se described the revisions as part of continuing curriculum changes connected to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 modernization goals. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Saudi Arabia Removes Antisemitic Content From School Textbooksthemedialine.orgReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4
- [2] Saudi textbooks remove 'Muslims will never give up Jerusalem'siasat.comReferenced for: detail 3
Questions answered by the reporting
What other changes were made beyond removing anti-Jewish passages?
Lessons added examples of peace agreements with Jewish, Christian and Arab tribes, prohibited harming noncombatants, and removed a passage celebrating battlefield martyrdom. [1]
Has all hostile or exclusionary language been removed?
No. Israel remains unnamed on official maps, Holocaust coverage remains limited, and a passage linking jihad to obedience to the king was restored. [1]
What this could mean for you
For Saudi students, the revised material changes how religious minorities, Israel and warfare are presented in school lessons; the practical effect depends on how consistently the new texts are taught.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Further restoration of exclusionary or militant passages could weaken the curriculum’s stated shift toward coexistence.
Continued omission of Israel from official maps and limited Holocaust coverage could preserve unresolved aspects of the curriculum.
Pressure eases if…
Keeping prohibitions on harming noncombatants and removing language discouraging interfaith friendships could reinforce the stated tolerance reforms.
Further removal of explicitly hostile descriptions of Jews and minorities could reduce antagonistic messaging in school materials.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish how widely the revised language is implemented in classrooms or whether further editions will change remaining omissions and restored passages.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
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…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Saudi Arabia has removed the phrase “the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” from a school textbook, according to a review of the Kingdom’s curriculum…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
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