Report: Syrian school network promotes hatred against Jews and Christians, praises Jihad against 'infidels'

A Syrian government-funded school network teaches children to demonize Jews and Christians, glorifies jihad against "infidels" and portrays Israel as an illegitimate state, according to a new report by the Israel-based Alma Research and Education Center.

Based on an analysis of 65 official Syrian textbooks and workbooks used from kindergarten through sixth grade, the report argues that the curriculum promotes religious extremism and anti-Israel narratives at a time when Syria's new leadership is attempting to present itself to the West as more moderate.

The textbooks are reportedly used in schools across Syrian provinces including Damascus, Aleppo, Deraa and Latakia.

Among the report's findings, Israel is consistently delegitimized and portrayed as occupying land that belongs to Arabs. A Grade 4 Social Studies workbook asks students:

"What is the name of the land that the Zionist enemy seized?"

The textbooks characterize Israel as a foreign entity that stole "Arab land," while maps label Israel within its internationally recognized borders simply as Palestine.

The report also found that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is presented as a religious war in which jihad is encouraged against Israelis and Jews. A fourth-grade Islamic Studies textbook urges children to embrace jihad in Palestine to confront "the oppressive Jews."

The curriculum defines "Offensive Jihad" as:

"Going forth against the infidel enemy, gaining control over him and his land until the lands and the people submit to Islam."

Another fourth-grade workbook praises the Sunni Muslim cleric Izz al-Din al-Qassam for taking up arms against Christians and Jews.

"He continued to carry his weapon against Christianity and Judaism throughout Syria and Palestine until the final moment of his life,” the textbook states.

The curriculum also teaches Syrian students that Jews have "stolen your country."

"The Jews have filled your land and stolen your country..."

The textbook adds the Qassam quote:

"I shall not return to this mosque until the Jews and the English have been expelled."

The report comes as Syria continues its political transition following the collapse of the Assad regime.

The secular Assad regime fell in December 2024 after 54 years in power. Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and was granted political asylum in Moscow, where he officially resides.

Former al-Qaida affiliate Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power following Assad's departure. Although al-Sharaa was until recently designated by the United States as a terrorist and had a U.S. bounty placed on him, President Donald Trump met with him during a Middle East visit in May 2025.

Following the meeting, Trump praised the new Syrian leader.

“Young, attractive guy, tough guy. Strong past, very strong past – fighter. He’s got a real shot at holding it together,” Trump told media representatives.

The Trump administration subsequently lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria, saying it wanted to give the country an opportunity to rebuild economically after more than a decade of civil war.

Al-Sharaa has sought to portray his government to Western governments as one of moderation and peace. Israeli officials, however, have remained skeptical of the new regime's intentions.

Although al-Sharaa has pledged to protect Syria's minorities, regime-affiliated Islamist groups have reportedly attacked Christian, Kurdish, Druze, and Alawite communities.

In May, Syrian Christians expressed shock after Islamists carried out a large-scale pogrom attack on the Christian town of al-Suqaylabiyah.