Jewish Educators Cancel Italy Trip Over Anti-Israel Pledge Demand

By מערכת ice

Translated & summarized from Ice by baba

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Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Around 100 Jewish educators from the US and Israel canceled a professional seminar in Italy after organizers demanded they sign a statement condemning Israel. The host organization cited protests from parents and also called for demilitarization in schools. Participants felt targeted due to their support for Israel, and Italian Senator Ivan Scalfarotto called the demand blatant anti-Semitism. The incident highlights rising anti-Semitism in Italy and shrinking safe spaces for Jewish communities.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

100 Jewish educators canceled an Italy seminar after being asked to condemn Israel's actions.
The host organization demanded a pledge condemning Israel and calling for demilitarization in schools.
Participants felt targeted due to their perceived support for Israel and the IDF.
An Italian senator called the demand for a condemnation of Israel "blatant anti-Semitism."
The incident occurs amid rising anti-Semitism and shrinking safe spaces for Jewish communities in Italy.

Approximately 100 Jewish educators from the United States and Israel have canceled their participation in a professional development seminar in Reggio Emilia, Italy, after the host organization demanded they sign a statement condemning Israel's actions. The seminar, intended to focus on a pedagogical approach developed in the region and adopted by Jewish schools worldwide, was scheduled for later this month.

The demand for a political statement arose from protests by parents affiliated with the host organization, who objected to the Jewish educators' alleged support for Israel and the IDF. The required pledge included demands for the protection of human rights in "occupied territories, as well as everywhere in the world," and called for the removal of militarization from schools. The delegation viewed these demands as political persecution and decided to withdraw.

Participants reported feeling targeted even before the official ultimatum. "Our identities were published, and our personal and institutional profiles were scrutinized on social media and presented as supporters of Israel and the IDF," stated Pasha Kaletnik, director of Manhattan Day School. She emphasized that the participants were prejudged based solely on their connection to Israel.

Melissa Davis of the Milton Gottesman Jewish School in Washington highlighted the pedagogical implications, calling the incident a "heavy loss" for the community, preventing teachers and, subsequently, students from benefiting from the educational experience. The situation also sparked political backlash in Italy, with Senator Ivan Scalfarotto denouncing the organizers' demand for Jews to disavow Israeli government policy as "blatant anti-Semitism."

This incident occurs amid rising anti-Semitism in Italy, with data from the Center for Contemporary Jewish Documentation (CDEC) showing an increase in antisemitic incidents and a shrinking space for safe Jewish presence. A survey last year indicated that about 15% of Italians believe that harming or attacking Jews can be justified. The report also referenced Metallica's lead singer James Hetfield's recent statement against unnecessary political mixing during a concert.

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