Israeli schools to start teaching evolution
CC by: Bryan Wright

The theory of evolution is finally being incorporated into the standard public education curriculum in Israel, the Ministry of Education announced on Sunday — but there's a catch.
As The Times of Israel reports, although the evolution of animals is being included in revamps of the 8th and 9th grade curricula, the common ancestry of homo sapiens and other primate species will still be left out. Reportedly, this decision was made so as not to stir up too much controversy with the Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel, which have held a wide political sway on numerous issues.
Until now, the only Israeli schoolchildren to actually be taught the theory of evolution as part of a standard curriculum have been the narrow few who pursued advanced biology certificates. (As The Jerusalem Post notes, the topic might also be touched upon by some science teachers.) By contrast, as Israeli schools do include religious content, the biblical creation story was taught.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a way, Israel's Education Ministry is taking a page from Charles Darwin himself: Although he first publicly expounded the theory of evolution in his landmark 1859 book, On the Origin of Species, even Darwin avoided an express analysis on the human species and the rise of the human intellect until his follow-up book, The Descent of Man, published 12 years later.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published