Saudi texbooks revise maps, language regarding Palestine: Israeli study
An Israeli think-tank study reported significant changes in Saudi school textbooks, notably the removal of references to "Palestine" from most maps and a shift in language concerning Israel. The study, conducted by NGO Impact-se, analyzed textbooks from 2019 to 2024, revealing alterations, removals, and unchanged content.
Among the findings, a social studies textbook for grade 12 no longer taught Zionism as a racist movement since 2023. Additionally, another textbook eliminated the chapter addressing the Palestinian cause. Notably, maps in social studies textbooks for grades five and nine consistently omitted Palestine and Israel, a departure from previous versions.
According to the report, most maps excluded all countries not bordering Saudi Arabia, including Palestine. Moreover, two maps in a geography textbook for grades 10-12 no longer featured any country names bordering Saudi Arabia. Islamic studies and geography textbooks for grades 10-12 also replaced maps showing historic Palestine with Israel.
Further adjustments included the removal of references to Israel as "the Zionist entity" in a 2022 social studies textbook. Additionally, a textbook discussing Arab and Saudi support for the Palestinian cause was discontinued in 2023.
The study also noted a shift in tone regarding Israel. For instance, a high school social studies textbook revised references to Israel as "the Zionist enemy" to "the Israeli occupation army" in its 2022 edition.
Saudi Arabia, which had not formally recognized Israel since its establishment in 1948, faced speculation about potential normalization of relations, akin to Bahrain and the UAE. However, recent events, such as the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October and subsequent conflict resulting in Palestinian casualties, deterred such efforts.
The Saudi foreign ministry affirmed that no normalization would occur without progress toward Palestinian statehood and a ceasefire.
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Virat Kohli's Ranji Trophy return draws massive crowd at Arun Jaitley Stadium, fans chant RCB
New Delhi: Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy after nearly 13 years has generated massive excitement among fans, with thousands gathering outside Arun Jaitley Stadium, chanting "RCB RCB" in support of the star batter. Kohli is playing for Delhi against Railways as part of his preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has allowed free entry for spectators, requiring only an Aadhaar card and a photocopy. Fans have been allocated the Gautam Gambhir Stand, accessible through Gate Nos. 16 and 17, while Gate No. 6 is reserved for DDCA members and guests.
DDCA secretary Ashok Kumar Sharma stated that around 10,000 fans are expected on the first day, with arrangements matching those of an international or IPL match.
Kohli, who last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2012 under Virender Sehwag's captaincy, is looking to regain form. Since 2020, he has scored 2,028 runs in 39 Test matches at an average of 30.72, with just three centuries. In the 2023–25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, he managed 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65.
