Critics slam pro-'Israel' courses now required at US universities

Northwestern University is facing growing criticism over a mandatory anti-Semitism training video that many students and faculty say conflates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism and misrepresents the Palestinian cause.

The video, produced by the Jewish United Fund (JUF), is part of a broader trend of anti-Semitism trainings being introduced at US universities following pressure from the Trump administration to address anti-Semitism on campuses, or risk losing federal funding, the Guardian reported.

In one segment of the video, titled anti-Semitism Here/Now, students are asked to play a guessing game distinguishing quotes by "anti-Israel activists" from those made by David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan (KKK) leader. One disturbing quote, “Every time I read Hitler, I fall in love again”, is revealed to be from an "anti-Israel activist." The narrator concludes, “The fact that you can’t tell the difference is terrifying,” and adds, “for most Jews, being anti-Israel and anti-Semitic are the same.”

That framing has sparked anger among student groups, especially pro-Palestinian advocates and Jewish students who do not support Zionism.

Graduate student Micol Bez called the video "shocking," accusing it of vilifying Palestinians and Jews who oppose 'Israel's' actions in Gaza. “It explicitly requires students to adopt the position that all anti-Zionism is anti-Semitic,” she said.

The training was made mandatory earlier this year. Under university policy, students who fail to complete the training are barred from class registration, and graduate students risk losing their stipends. Bez, who has watched the video but refuses to submit completion, has had a hold placed on her academic records.

Northwestern’s training comes amid a broader federal effort: At least 60 universities have been investigated by the US Department of Education for potential violations of Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion. Northwestern is one of several institutions under investigation and has implemented the training to comply with Trump’s executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism on campuses.

Despite its adoption of the training, Northwestern’s relationship with the federal government has remained strained. The university saw a USD 790 million cut in research funding, and some believe more pressure is coming.

“They thought this would save them , it did not,” said Noah Cooper, a sophomore and member of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).

Critics, including Jewish advocacy and free speech groups, argue that the materials are one-sided, vague, and often distort history. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal Zionist organization J Street, warned that the misuse of anti-Semitism to serve political agendas risks fueling real anti-Semitism. “If people see universities threatened or programs cut in the name of anti-Semitism enforcement, that will backfire,” he said.

The training video leans heavily on a controversial definition of anti-Semitism promoted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which critics argue equates criticism of 'Israel' with anti-Semitism. It also refers to 'Israel' as having been founded “on British land,” and uses the biblical term “Judea and Samaria” for the West Bank, terminology favored by the 'Israeli' government but rejected by international consensus.

“The content is incredibly unscholarly,” said Bez. “It erases the pain and suffering of Palestinian people and normalizes language used to justify the occupation.”

The video is part of a broader mandatory curriculum titled Building a Community of Respect and Breaking Down Bias, which also includes videos addressing anti-Arab and anti-Muslim discrimination. However, students say the training lacks balance. While the anti-Semitism module presents a detailed defense of Zionism, the segments addressing Islamophobia do not include Palestinian perspectives or historical context regarding Gaza or the Israeli Occupation.

“Instead of encouraging critical thinking, the video promotes a singular worldview,” said Cooper, who completed the training. “It’s not about dialogue, it’s about compliance.”

Materials reviewed from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has partnered with other universities such as Columbia to provide similar training, reinforce the same message. ADL toolkits label flyers criticizing 'Israel's' demolition of Palestinian homes as potentially anti-Semitic. Critics argue that conflating legitimate political critique with hate speech confuses students and chills free speech.

“Scaring schools into adopting rigid speech limitations flips the values of academic freedom and free speech on their head,” said Veronica Salama of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The training also encourages students to report peers, write op-eds, and coordinate with pro-'Israel' campus organizations like Hillel to respond to perceived bias.

In response to criticism, Northwestern said in a statement that students are “not required to agree” with the video and that it reflects the views of many in the Jewish community. “We believe it is important for our students to have an understanding of that perspective,” the statement said.

But for many, the issue remains unresolved. “I am an anti-Zionist Jew,” said Cooper. “And the video didn’t make me feel safe or protected in any way it claimed it would.”