Key facts
- Saudi Arabia removed the phrase "the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem" from its school textbooks.
- The removal was noted by Israeli research group Impact-se.
- Impact-se stated the removal reduces hostility toward Israel.
- Impact-se noted that terms like 'the Israeli Occupation' are still used in textbooks.
- The continued use of 'the Israeli Occupation' reflects a non-recognition of Israel.
- The move is seen as a potential step toward normalizing relations in the region.
Saudi Arabia has removed the phrase "the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem" from its school textbooks. This alteration was highlighted by Impact-se, an Israeli research group that monitors anti-Israel content in educational materials. Impact-se observed that the removal of this specific phrase represents a reduction in overt hostility directed at Israel. However, the group also pointed out that the continued inclusion of terms such as 'the Israeli Occupation' in the textbooks signifies that Saudi Arabia still does not officially recognize the state of Israel. This development occurs amidst broader regional shifts and discussions concerning normalization and relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.