Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Altmann (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 22 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Palestine: Textbooks

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 3 March (HC Deb col 719), whether they still assess that the Palestinian Authority’s Grade 12 curriculum reforms demonstrated “considerable progress” in light of recent findings that newly issued Grade 12 textbooks continue to contain material promoting violence, martyrdom, and antisemitic narratives.

Answer

All education must promote peace, tolerance and non-violence. Any incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable and has no place in the classroom. We have raised this with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and will continue to do so.

The PA is undertaking a multi-year curriculum reform in which textbooks are systematically being updated to align with UNESCO standards. Recent independent analysis has identified credible progress since 2018 in removing material of concern from PA textbooks. We welcome this initial progress, but we recognise that more needs to be done to bring every textbook page for every Grade in line with UNESCO standards.

We have made clear that the Palestinian Authority must fully implement the reforms they have committed to make, including in relation to the school curriculum, and will continue to support them to do so.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1131
Session
2026-27
Related items
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Curriculum Palestine Antisemitism Textbooks
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk