A newly published review claims that Saudi Arabia has removed the label “Palestine” from several maps in school textbooks. The affected maps cover territory internationally recognized as Israel but now leave that area unnamed.
The findings come from the Review of Saudi Textbooks 2024–2026, published by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education, also known as IMPACT-se. The organization reviewed 136 Saudi textbooks from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic years.
Quick Answer
The report says the word “Palestine” was removed from some Saudi Social Studies maps, but this does not mean every mention of Palestine has disappeared from the curriculum. Israel also remains unnamed on many classroom maps. Other changes include softer language about Israel and the removal of a sentence concerning Jerusalem.
What Changed in Saudi School Textbooks?
According to the review, several Social Studies textbooks previously labelled the territory covering present-day Israel as “Palestine.” In newer editions, the same area appears without a name.
The report presents these changes as part of a longer revision of how Israel, Zionism and the Palestinian issue are discussed in Saudi classrooms.
However, the curriculum has not formally added Israel’s name to many of these maps. The change therefore removes the earlier label without replacing it with official recognition of Israel.
Jerusalem and Israel-Related Language
The review identifies other changes in Grade 11 textbooks.
A sentence stating, “The Muslims will never give up Jerusalem,” was reportedly removed from an Arabic Language textbook.
A Grade 11 History textbook also replaced the phrase “the Zionist enemy” with “the Israeli occupation.” The review describes this as a move away from politically charged language.
Some descriptions presenting Israel as an occupying state, including references connected with periods before 1967, have also reportedly been revised or removed.
References to Palestine Have Not Fully Disappeared
The claim should not be understood as a complete removal of Palestine from all Saudi schoolbooks.
The report itself shows that some references remain. A Grade 10 Social Studies textbook, for example, continues to discuss Saudi Arabia receiving thousands of Palestinians after the 1967 war.
Material concerning the 1948 Palestine War also remains in the curriculum. This means the reported revisions are selective and affect particular maps, phrases and lessons rather than every reference to Palestine.
For accuracy, the headline is better presented as the removal of “Palestine” from some school maps, not from the entire Saudi curriculum.
Curriculum Reforms Under Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia has been revising its school curriculum for several years. The report says significant changes have taken place since 2020 across religious studies, history, social studies and other subjects.
These revisions form part of a wider effort to modernize education under Vision 2030. Changes identified by the review include updated language about religious groups, coexistence, gender roles, regional politics and international relations.
The report views the latest revisions as a continuation of gradual moderation in Saudi educational material. Still, it does not show that Saudi Arabia has formally recognized Israel in school maps.
Important Context About the Report
The findings come from IMPACT-se, an Israel-based organization that monitors school curricula. They should therefore be attributed to the organization’s review rather than presented as a direct announcement from the Saudi Ministry of Education.
The report compares different textbook editions and includes examples of material that was removed, changed or retained. No Saudi government response to these specific findings was included in the available reference content.
The most accurate conclusion is that some Saudi textbooks have changed how Palestine, Israel and Zionism are presented. The revisions remove the label “Palestine” from several maps and soften certain phrases, while other Palestinian references remain in the curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Saudi Arabia removed Palestine from every school textbook?
No. The report refers to the removal of the label from several maps and changes to selected passages. Other references to Palestinians and the Palestine conflict remain.
Is Israel now named on Saudi school maps?
The review says Israel remains absent from many maps. In some cases, the affected territory is simply left unnamed.
How many textbooks were reviewed?
The report examined 136 textbooks used during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic years.
What other wording was changed?
The phrase “the Zionist enemy” was replaced with “the Israeli occupation,” while a sentence about Muslims never giving up Jerusalem was removed.
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Category: News
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Author: Rabia
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