Pearson Edexcel GCSE History textbook: Conflict in the Middle East, c1945-1995 and International GCSE textbook: The Middle East: Conflict, Crisis and Change, 1917-2012

“Our core editorial principle is to support the teaching of this important period in Middle East history impartially and objectively. We welcome feedback and we have robust processes in place to review any feedback – this is particularly important for such a sensitive period of history.

“An independent review of these books last year found several areas where the balance of sources and viewpoints could be strengthened to reduce a slight Palestinian bias.

“Any changes we made were based on the outcome of the independent review and in order to improve the overall balance of sources. Pearson retained full editorial control of these changes throughout.

“Earlier this year, following feedback on the changes we made, we took the decision to pause further distribution while we review these texts again. We will gather a wider range of views and we will take action if there is more work to do to get that balance right.

“We are the only awarding organisation to offer this topic as part of GCSE History and we are the only publisher to create a textbook for it. It is our priority that students are able to continue to study this topic in a fair and balanced way.”