Nearly 70 Jewish educators from US schools canceled an October 11–16 study trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, after a proposed declaration asking visitors to distance themselves from Israeli policies in Gaza prompted safety concerns and accusations of antisemitism. The Italian host organization disputes that signing such a statement was ever required.
The Paradigm Project, a US professional network for Jewish early childhood educators, had organized the visit to study the city’s internationally recognized teaching methods. Organizers canceled the trip on October 7 after local activists questioned participants’ connections to Israel and reportedly examined their social media profiles.
A proposed declaration asked teachers to disavow the occupation of Gaza and violations of children’s rights in occupied territories. The American educators objected to being asked to take a political position concerning Israel’s government because of their Jewish identity.
Reggio Children, a partly municipally owned educational organization, said the additional language had been circulated for discussion but never formally adopted. Its official charter calls for respect for human rights, opposition to discrimination and war, and condemnation of genocide without naming a specific country.
“The text you quote was never adopted,” the organization said in a statement. It confirmed that a separate delegation of Israeli educators was attending the program as planned.
Reggio Emilia Mayor Marco Massari also denied that visitors were required to pass a political test. His earlier statements had acknowledged discussions about an additional commitment concerning Israeli government policies, contributing to conflicting accounts of the dispute.
US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Yehuda Kaploun welcomed the mayor’s clarification and expressed support for protecting visiting educators from intimidation.
Jewish community leaders in Italy criticized the proposed condition, arguing that Jews living outside Israel should not be expected to answer for decisions made by its government.
The controversy disrupted a longstanding educational exchange. The Reggio Emilia approach, developed after World War II by educator Loris Malaguzzi and local families, has influenced preschools internationally, including Jewish early childhood programs in the United States.