Jordanian school textbooks contain antisemitic, anti-Zionist themes, IMPACT-se finds

Jordanian textbooks for the current school year promote antisemitic and anti-Israel themes, a report by the research institute IMPACT-se found. The study highlights a concerning contradiction: while the curriculum includes messaging on peace and tolerance, these principles are not consistently applied, particularly concerning Jews.

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While the curriculum includes examples promoting peace and tolerance, those themes are not applied consistently, particularly in relation to Jews.

The institute identified portrayals of Jews as "treacherous" with an "evil" global influence. One history textbook claimed Jews attempted to sabotage Germany's economy in World War I, attributing Western support for the Balfour Declaration to "Jewish financial and political influence" over the British and U.S. governments. A ninth-grade textbook described "treachery and violation of agreements" as natural Jewish traits and asked students to consider why Jews wish to "annihilate" Muslims.

Regarding Israel, textbooks refer to the peace treaty as a "reluctant" effort to halt "Israeli expansionist ambitions and recover stolen land." Maps often label Israel as "Palestine," and several texts attribute the 1969 al-Aqsa Mosque arson to Israel, despite the perpetrator being an Australian Christian. The report also notes that textbooks continue to justify Hamas's October 7 attacks, framing them as a response to "Israeli aggression" and referring to attacked Israeli towns as "settlements."

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Despite the publication of new material for the current school year, far too many of the same problematic themes remain unchanged, standing in direct contradiction to the moderation and coexistence Jordan promotes to the world.

IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff called the findings "concerning," especially given Jordan's role as a "key Western ally and one of Israel’s longest-standing peace partners." He stated that despite new material for the current school year, many problematic themes persist, contradicting Jordan's promoted image of moderation and coexistence. This follows previous IMPACT-se reports on Palestinian Authority and Iranian textbooks, which also contained glorification of martyrdom.

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concerning