Report: Saudi Arabia Removes Phrase 'Muslims Will Never Surrender Jerusalem' from Curriculum

An Israel-based organisation has praised Saudi Arabia after the kingdom removed the phrase “Muslims will never surrender Jerusalem” from school textbooks.

The move is seen as part of efforts to change how Saudi Arabia teaches Islam, Palestine, and Israel in its curriculum.

The Israeli research group Impact-se published its study of the Saudi curriculum at the end of July 2026.

“The statement implied that Muslim control or presence in Jerusalem is under threat,” the report said, as quoted by The Middle Eye on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

According to Impact-se, the reference “could be interpreted as portraying Jerusalem as a site of ongoing conflict between Muslims and other groups, particularly Israel.”

The criticism comes as Israeli politicians routinely call for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, and the construction of a Jewish temple at the site.

On Monday (17/8/2026), Israeli authorities officially permitted Israeli settlers to conduct Jewish worship or prayer inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

The move was seen as a provocative act that further violates and erodes the status quo that has prevailed at the holy site for decades.

With the support of the Israeli government, settlers also continue to build settlements on Palestinian land with the aim of changing the demographic character of Jerusalem.