New Resolution Pushes State Department to Reform Middle East School Textbooks to Promote Peace and Tolerance

This resolution is Congress’s official endorsement of the Abraham Accords, the agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations (like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco). The core message is that these accords are the blueprint for a more peaceful Middle East, and Congress wants the U.S. government to lean hard on the gas pedal to expand them. It specifically encourages the State Department to use its influence to push for educational reforms in these countries, aiming to eliminate antisemitic content and promote peace and tolerance in national school curricula.

The Peace-Through-Education Mandate

The most tangible part of this resolution, for those concerned with long-term stability, is the focus on education. Congress is essentially saying that peace deals aren't enough; you have to change what kids are taught. They note that countries party to the Accords have already made positive changes—cutting out hate speech and adding lessons on respect. The resolution encourages the State Department to make curriculum reform a top priority in discussions with these nations, viewing it as a vital step toward stability and tolerance based on global standards. This means U.S. diplomats will be actively discussing specific textbook content and teaching methods with foreign governments.

Expanding the Diplomatic Circle

The resolution isn't just focused on maintaining current agreements; it’s about recruitment. Congress explicitly supports expanding this normalization trend, specifically calling out Saudi Arabia and Indonesia as key targets for future agreements with Israel. This means the U.S. will likely prioritize diplomatic efforts and incentives aimed at bringing these major regional players into the fold. For the average person, this signals a long-term U.S. foreign policy commitment to shifting alliances and economic cooperation in the region.

The Regional Security Question

The resolution also codifies a U.S. policy goal: creating a regional security plan focused on deterring shared threats, particularly Iran and extremist groups. While the language is broad—lacking specific details on resource allocation or military involvement—it serves as a clear directive for the executive branch to prioritize security cooperation among allies. This push for a unified security front is designed to deepen the ties established by the Accords. However, because the resolution doesn't define the scope of this “security plan,” it leaves a lot of room for interpretation regarding future U.S. military or intelligence commitments, which is something to watch closely.

The International Pressure Point

Finally, the resolution calls on international organizations, like the United Nations, to step up their game. It demands that they make “counter-incitement”—stopping speech that encourages violence—a top priority in all their educational programs across the region. Furthermore, it explicitly pushes them to actively work to eliminate antisemitism within their own committees and bodies. This is Congress telling global bodies, which often operate with limited oversight, that they need to clean house and ensure their educational efforts align with the goals of peace and tolerance promoted by the Accords.