'Zionist enemy' disappears from Saudi Arabia's textbooks – report

Researchers at IMPACT-se report that Saudi Arabia is softening anti-Israel rhetoric in school textbooks as part of its 'Vision 2030' strategy. Hostile formulations, including 'Zionist enemy,' have been removed from textbooks, replaced with 'Israeli occupation regime.' The changes affect Arabic language and history textbooks for 11th grade, as well as geographical maps. Experts note a reduction in intensity, but textbooks still present Israel as an occupying state.

Researchers at the Israeli institute IMPACT-se have documented a softening of tone in Saudi textbooks regarding Israel. As part of the state strategy 'Vision 2030,' hostile remarks are being removed from educational materials. In Arabic language textbooks for eleventh graders, the phrase 'Muslims will never give up Al-Quds' has been deleted. In the history course for 11th grade, 'Zionist enemy' has been replaced with 'Israeli occupation regime.' Geographical maps have removed the label 'Palestine' from territories within internationally recognized borders of Israel. Experts note that the new terminology is still negative but less aggressive. Textbooks continue to view Israel as an occupying state and convey the Palestinian perspective. The work on modernizing educational programs is not yet complete.