Saudi Arabia has reportedly removed the phrase “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” from school textbooks, in what critics say could signal a further shift in the kingdom’s approach to teaching about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The reported change has drawn attention because Jerusalem, and particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, holds deep religious and political significance for Muslims around the world.
Saudi Arabia has in recent years undertaken wide-ranging reforms to its education system and textbooks, including changes to religious and historical content. Previous reviews of Saudi textbooks have documented the removal or alteration of material considered inflammatory or intolerant.
However, the reported textbook change does not necessarily indicate that Riyadh has abandoned its longstanding position on Jerusalem.
Saudi Arabia continues to publicly support Palestinian statehood and has repeatedly rejected attempts to alter what it describes as the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
In April, Saudi Arabia joined seven other Arab and Muslim-majority countries in condemning Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and reaffirming support for Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In July, Riyadh again condemned Israeli incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and described attempts to change the status quo at the holy site as violations of international law and United Nations resolutions.
The reported removal therefore appears to concern the wording used in educational material rather than representing an official reversal of Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic position on Jerusalem.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia continues to pursue major social, economic and educational reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with changes to school curricula forming part of broader efforts to modernise the country’s education system.
