Jewish Educators Boycott Italian Forum Over Demand to Condemn Israel

Approximately 100 Jewish preschool educators from the United States and Israel canceled their planned participation in a professional seminar in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The decision followed a demand from the local host organization, Reggio Children, for attendees to sign a document condemning Israel's policies in Gaza. The educators refused this condition and opted not to attend the event, as reported by Jewish Insider.

The teachers had intended to study the renowned local early childhood education methodology. However, shortly before their departure, organizers presented them with a declaration condemning human rights violations and Israel's presence in Gaza. This demand originated from a group of parents whose children attend a local educational center, who protested the arrival of teachers supporting Israel and its military.

In response to the protests, Reggio Children drafted the document requiring participants to distance themselves from the actions of Israeli authorities. Leaders of the Jewish educational institutions stated that the educators faced harassment and the exposure of their personal data. Peshah Kletenik, director of the Manhattan Day School in New York, reported that teachers' social media profiles were scrutinized, with personal posts used as justification for barring them from the seminar.

Representatives from the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School in Washington described the disruption of the program as a significant loss for the community and a clear manifestation of growing hostility towards Jews globally. Italian Senator Ivan Scalfarotto publicly denounced the demand for Jewish specialists to disown their country as a classic display of antisemitism, expressing deep concern over such national-based vetting in a democratic city.

The incident in Reggio Emilia occurred amid reports of a sharp rise in antisemitism across Italy. The Center for Contemporary Jewish Documentation (CDEC) recorded 963 antisemitic incidents in Italy last year, including physical violence, street attacks, and synagogue desecrations. Experts from the foundation warned that antisemitic sentiments are becoming normalized in European society, posing a direct threat to the safety of Jewish communities.