New research examining school textbooks in Jordan has found that educational materials used during the 2025–2026 academic year continue to contain antisemitic themes, anti-Israel narratives, and material justifying the October 7 Hamas attacks, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The findings were published by IMPACT-se, an international research organisation that analyses school curricula across the Middle East and beyond.
According to the report, Jordanian textbooks promote messages of tolerance towards some religious groups, particularly Christians, while simultaneously portraying Jews in highly negative and stereotypical ways.
The study states that several textbooks describe Jews as inherently treacherous and accuse them of exerting harmful influence over world affairs. One history textbook reportedly claimed that Jews attempted to undermine Germany’s economy during the First World War and suggested that support for the Balfour Declaration resulted from Jewish control over British and American financial systems.
Another textbook aimed at ninth-grade students allegedly described betrayal and violation of agreements as natural Jewish characteristics and encouraged students to reflect on why Jews supposedly seek to “annihilate” Muslims.
The report also says that Israel is frequently delegitimised throughout the curriculum. Maps often label the territory of Israel simply as “Palestine,” while the Jordan-Israel peace treaty is reportedly presented as a reluctant measure intended only to restrain Israeli expansion and recover “stolen land.”
Several textbooks were also found to incorrectly describe the 1969 fire at the Al-Aqsa Mosque as an Israeli attack, despite the fire having been carried out by an Australian Christian extremist.
IMPACT-se further reported that some educational materials continue to justify the Hamas-led October 7 massacre in Israel. The attack is described in certain passages as a response to “Israeli aggression,” while Israeli communities targeted during the massacre are referred to as “settlements.”
Although the institute noted that references to October 7 appear less frequently than in previous years, it argued that problematic themes remain deeply embedded in the curriculum.
Marcus Sheff, chief executive of IMPACT-se, described the findings as particularly troubling given Jordan’s close ties with Western countries and its long-standing peace agreement with Israel.
He said that while some parts of the curriculum promote coexistence and moderation, these principles are not consistently applied when discussing Jews or Israel.
The report forms part of a broader series of investigations by IMPACT-se into educational material across the Middle East. Previous reports by the organisation criticised both Palestinian Authority and Iranian school curricula for glorifying martyrdom and containing antisemitic content.
The findings are likely to intensify ongoing international debate over the role educational systems play in shaping attitudes towards Jews, Israel, and interfaith coexistence in the region.
Photo credit: Khalil Mazraawi/AFP via Getty Images
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