(JTA) — A federal judge in Chicago allowed Northwestern University to discipline students who refused to watch an antisemitism training video.

The students, members of the campus group Jewish Voice for Peace, argued that the training discriminated against Palestinians and pro-Palestinian voices by framing criticism of Israel as antisemitism. The university said the training was mandatory for all students following an executive order from President Biden’s administration urging colleges to combat antisemitism.

Judge Andrea Wood of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois sided with Northwestern on Monday, ruling that the school’s policy was “facially neutral” and applied evenly to all students.

Graduate students argued the training discriminated against Palestinians

In their suit, the students alleged that the training “endorsed a political viewpoint equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.” They said Northwestern’s enforcement of the policy violated their First Amendment rights.

The university countered that the course material was based on definitions widely used by higher-education institutions and did not single out specific political groups or speech.

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The 45-minute training video, produced by the school’s diversity and inclusion office, reportedly includes examples of antisemitic tropes and harassment. It does not explicitly define Zionism or discuss the Israel-Hamas war.

University cites federal order on combating antisemitism

Northwestern adopted the training requirement in 2024, part of a broader effort to comply with the Department of Education’s guidance under the Biden administration’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

Following several campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza, administrators said the measure aimed to “ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all Jewish students.”

The university placed registration holds on students who refused to complete the course, prompting the lawsuit.

Advocates say ruling could shape campus speech battles

Civil liberties groups have expressed concern about the precedent set by the decision, warning that schools might interpret it as approval to discipline students for political views tied to Middle East conflicts.

Jewish organizations, meanwhile, welcomed the ruling as a sign that universities can take stronger action to address antisemitism on campus.

The case could influence similar policies at other major universities — including Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia — that have adopted mandatory antisemitism or bias training programs since 2024.