Saudi Arabia has revised several school textbooks as part of ongoing curriculum changes. The revisions affect content related to Palestine, Israel and Zionism.
A newly released review examined changes across the kingdom’s education system. The Review of Saudi Textbooks 2024–2026 covered 136 textbooks.
The books were used during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. The review found changes in maps and language related to Israel and Jerusalem.
According to the review, Saudi Arabia removed the word “Palestine” from maps in several Social Studies textbooks. These maps had previously labeled internationally recognized Israeli territory as Palestine.
The revised maps now leave the territory unnamed. However, the changes do not amount to classroom recognition of Israel.
The review noted that Israel remains absent from many maps. It also highlighted changes in language describing Israel and its historical status. One major change concerns a Grade 11 Arabic Language textbook. Authorities removed the sentence, “The Muslims will never give up Jerusalem.”
Another revision appeared in a Grade 11 History textbook. The phrase “the Zionist enemy” was replaced with “the Israeli occupation.”
The report described these changes as part of a broader shift in Saudi educational materials. It said politically charged language has been gradually moderated. However, Saudi Arabia has not fully changed its approach to Israel in school maps. The review noted that Israel remains unnamed on several maps.
Some textbooks have also removed references describing Israel as an “occupying state.” These changes include references to periods before the 1967 war. The review also identified additional maps where the label “Palestine” was removed. The territory was instead shown without a name.
The changes form part of wider educational reforms introduced in recent years. Saudi Arabia has been updating school materials across several academic subjects. The review said significant curriculum reforms have taken place since 2020. Authorities have removed or revised various forms of content.
These changes are linked to efforts to modernize the education system. They also form part of the country’s broader Vision 2030 reforms.
The latest textbook revisions have attracted attention because of their references to Israel and Palestine. The changes reflect adjustments in terminology and map presentation. At the same time, the review indicates that the curriculum has not adopted full recognition of Israel. Many educational maps continue to omit Israel’s name.
The report provides a detailed look at how Saudi Arabia is changing its textbooks. It also shows how political and historical language is being adjusted.
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Further revisions may emerge as the kingdom continues its education reforms. The changes are expected to remain part of the wider modernization process under Vision 2030.
