Israel Welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Textbook Revisions, Perceives ‘Positive Reforms’

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, data published by Mehr News Agency, citing Arabi21, indicates that revisions to certain Saudi Arabian textbooks have been positively received by the Israeli regime. In this context, Saudi authorities have removed the phrase “Muslims will not relinquish Jerusalem” from their textbooks, an action met with approval by an Israeli organization monitoring Middle Eastern educational programs.

Marcus Sheff, CEO of the Impact-SE Institute, stated that his institute’s review of Saudi educational curricula demonstrates a continuation of “positive reforms” in the country’s education. He pointed to a reduction in content that the institute considers “extremist” or “anti-Semitic,” along with changes in how Israel and Zionism are addressed.

The Israeli regime’s reception of the Saudi moves comes as Israeli politicians continue to call for the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the construction of the so-called “Temple” in its place. Furthermore, Israeli officials on Monday permitted settlers to perform Jewish rituals within Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, an action widely criticized as a further violation of the status quo.

The institute also welcomed the removal of certain Quranic verses from Saudi Arabian textbooks that address the concept of “infidels and sin.” In an eleventh-grade history book, the term “Zionist enemy” has reportedly been replaced with “Israeli occupiers.” However, the institute considers this change insufficient, believing that the use of the term “Israeli occupiers” indicates a continued failure to recognize Israel.

These criticisms emerge while the Israeli regime remains entirely opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in November that “there will not be a Palestinian state. It’s as simple as that: it will not be created.”