Jewish teachers cancel trip rather than denounce Gaza 'genocide'

Live updates

1. 46m ago

   Jewish educators cancel Reggio Emilia study trip over Israel condemnation demand

   Approximately 100 Jewish early childhood educators from the United States and Israel canceled a professional study trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy. The cancellation followed requirements from organizers that participants sign statements condemning Israel's actions in Gaza or denouncing genocide. The Paradigm Project, the American organizers of the trip, cited safety concerns as a reason for the cancellation, noting that pro-Palestinian activists had been scrutinizing the personal profiles of the educators. The mayor of Reggio Emilia has since walked back the anti-Israel litmus test.

   Why it matters

   The dispute highlights the tension between academic exchange and political requirements during the conflict in Gaza. It reflects a broader debate regarding the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism in European educational settings.

   What is confirmed

   • Jewish educators from the U.S. and Israel canceled a study trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy.
   • Organizers required participants to sign statements condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.
   • The Paradigm Project canceled the trip citing safety concerns following scrutiny of educators by pro-Palestinian activists.
   • Roughly 100 Jewish early childhood educators were involved in the planned trip.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The mayor of Reggio Emilia walked back the anti-Israel litmus test for preschool educators.
   • Participants were specifically required to denounce genocide in Gaza.

   What to watch next

   • Official statements from the Reggio Emilia host organization regarding future Jewish delegations
   • Further clarification from the mayor of Reggio Emilia on the revised policy
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. tricycle.org — Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh at 100 - Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
   2. elderofziyon.blogspot.com — 10/13 Links Pt2: One year ago today, the last 20 living hostages finally came home after 738 days in Hama....
   3. New York Post — Jewish educators told to condemn Israel before attending conference: report
   4. eJewishPhilanthropy — We didn’t need Reggio Emilia to teach us how to see children
   5. Il Foglio — Jews in Reggio Emilia. The increasingly blurred line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism
   6. The Forward — Jewish teachers cancel trip rather than denounce Gaza 'genocide'
   7. Jewish Insider — Jewish preschool educators forced to condemn Israel to attend Reggio Emilia conference
   8. Jewish Insider — Reggio Emilia mayor walks back anti-Israel litmus test for preschool educators
   9. The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle — A journey interrupted, a commitment to learning
   10. abc7ny.com — Dozens of Jewish educators say they had to cancel conference ...
   11. vinnews.com — Jewish Educators Cancel Italy Study Trip After Demand to ...
   12. www.jta.org — Jewish school educators cancel trip to Italy after Italian ...
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