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The Guardian
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Antisemitism training designed by pro-Israel groups is becoming compulsory at US colleges. What's in it?
Near the end of an antisemitism training video that Northwestern University students are required to watch, the narrator urges viewers to play a guessing game. Six statements pop on to the screen – the viewer must choose whether they were made by 'anti-Israel activists' or the former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke. Among the statements: 'Every time I read Hitler, I fall in love again.' The video reveals that the statement was made by an 'anti-Israel activist'. The narrator then states: 'The fact that you can't tell the difference is terrifying.' He adds that for most Jews, being anti-Israel and antisemitic 'are the same'. The video is part of a wave of controversial antisemitism trainings being implemented by universities across the US starting this school year, in response to Trump administration threats to pull funding for institutions that, in its view, fail to adequately address campus antisemitism. It is not clear how universities will enforce student participation. The Northwestern training was produced by the Jewish United Federation (JUF) , a pro-Israel advocacy group, and it drew pushback from some students. The Hitler statement was probably tweeted in 2013 by a high school student, members of pro-Palestinain Northwestern groups found. They accused JUF of cherrypicking a child's comment made 12 years ago to portray all criticism of Israel and Zionism as antisemitic. Moreover, the Hitler comment was placed among statements that legitimately criticize the Israeli government and are not antisemitic. The broader goal is to silence opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza, said Micol Bez, a Jewish graduate student at Northwestern who is supportive of Palestinian rights. 'We were shocked by the video … which directly vilifies the movement for rights for Palestinian people and non-Zionist Jews who stand against genocide,' Bez said. 'It explicitly requires students to adopt the position that there's no room for anti-Zionism, and that all anti-Zionism is antisemitic.' The trainings' opponents, many of them Jewish, say the material does little to protect Jews. They accuse the Trump administration of wielding often false claims of antisemitism for two ends – to cut funding for universities as the president wages a culture war on higher education, and to help rightwing pro-Israel groups silence legitimate criticism of Israel. At least 60 universities so far have been investigated by the US Department of Education for potential violations of Title VI, a law that prohibits schools from discrimination based on race, ethnicity and religion. Columbia University, City University of New York, Harvard University and Barnard University are among those implementing the antisemitism trainings, which were generally developed after the Trump crackdown, and may aim to appease the Trump administration. At Northwestern, which is under multiple federal investigations for alleged antisemitism, the university emailed students in March to say that the implementation of the training 'will adhere to federal policy including President Donald Trump's Jan. 29 executive order, 'Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism''. Students who do not complete the training cannot register for classes, while graduate students can lose stipends. Bez said she had viewed the training, but had so far refused to officially complete it and the university had put a hold on her registration. Introducing the training has not helped Northwestern's relationship with the Trump administration. Even after implementing it, the administration cut $790m in research funding. Trump is now trying to extract further concessions. 'They thought this would save them – it did not,' said Noah Cooper, a Northwestern sophomore and an anti-Zionist with Jewish Voice for Peace who completed the training. The Guardian reviewed training materials developed by the JUF and the Anti-Defamation League, which both push pro-Israel agendas in the US, and found the overarching message is that criticism of Israel or Zionism is antisemitic. The materials advise students on how to respond to antisemitic or anti-Israel speech, and spread a pro-Israel message. That includes tips on effective online debating, media strategies and how to pressure administrators into cracking down on anti-Israel campus speech. Some Jewish and free speech groups have raised a litany of concerns about the materials, including that they are often one-sided, misleading, vague and sometimes historically inaccurate. Not only did the trainings do little to protect Jews from antisemitism, the universities and Trump may even be endangering Jews because they are 'allowing antisemitism to be used for other political purposes', like attacking higher education, said Jeremy Jacobs, executive director of J Street, a center-left, pro-Zionist lobbying and cultural organization. 'If people start to see that their universities, their medical research and their neighbors' immigration status and right to due process are being endangered because the Jewish community is pressuring for enforcement in ways that go way too far – that will generate actual antisemitism,' Jacobs added. In an email, a Northwestern spokesperson said students 'are not required to agree' with the antisemitism trainings and stressed that the speaker in the video said he did not speak for all Jewish people. 'However, he does represent how many in the Jewish community feel when targeted with certain actions and words, and we believe it is important for our students to have an understanding of that,' the spokesperson wrote. The ADL also has created their own antisemitism training and is partnering with Columbia among other universities to implement it. A centerpiece of their 'Think. Plan. Act.' toolkit for higher education is a section titled 'How can I be prepared for antisemitic and anti-Israel bias on campus? Scenarios and best practices.' It lays out 10 hypothetical antisemitic and 'anti-Israel situations', why the ADL views them as a problem and advises students on how to respond. One scenario explains why someone spray-painting swastikas on a Jewish fraternity home is a problem, while another example examines why fliers criticizing the Israeli government for demolishing Palestinian homes is similarly an issue. A third raises concerns over a hypothetical 'charge that a sponsored Israel trip Is 'pro-apartheid propaganda''. Lumping together examples of legitimate criticism of Israel's government and obvious antisemitic acts is designed to convince students and administrators that the actions are similarly problematic, critics say. It also appears to raise the specter of Title VI discrimination violations, said Veronica Salama, an attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union. However, Title VI doesn't protect against criticism of countries, and a term like 'anti-Israel situation' has no legal meaning, Salama said. But the ADL's intent is evident, she added. 'The tactic is to scare universities into placing a limitation on this type of speech for fear that they will get hit with a Title VI lawsuit or be investigated by the Trump administration,' Salama said. The ADL's hypothetical scenario involving flyers critical of Israel's demolition program encapsulates many other issues that those who reviewed the material or completed a training raised. The scenario begins with a student leaving their dorm room to find a flyer taped to the door 'warning that your residence hall will soon be demolished'. 'The rest of the flyer contains 'facts' about how many Palestinian homes have been demolished by the Israeli military to collectively punish and 'ethnically cleanse' Palestinians,' the toolkit continues. The ADL is referring to the highly charged debate over Israel's mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank. The training material then offers the Israeli narrative around the demolitions, claiming they target 'terrorists' and 'deter others from terrorist action'. Other homes were demolished because they were 'built without proper permits', the ADL states. 'While you may agree or disagree with these Israeli government actions, the charge that Israel has demolished these homes to 'ethnically cleanse' Palestinians is inaccurate and inflammatory,' the ADL material states. The Palestinian perspective on the demolitions is not found in the training material, and excluding their side story is a problem, those who reviewed the material said. As many as 40,000 Palestinians in the West Bank alone, including refugee camps, are estimated to have been forced from their homes since the beginning of 2024, in addition to millions more in Israel and the Palestinian territories in previous decades. A UN special rapporteur in March warned of an 'ethnic cleansing' in the West Bank as Israel has accelerated demolitions. Meanwhile, the Israeli military often won't issue building permits to Palestinians. The antisemitism training video was shown as part of a new mandatory bias training called Building a Community of Respect and Breaking Down Bias. The antisemitism video is shown alongside a separate video made in partnership with The Inclusion Expert, a bias training company, on anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias, and a third video about campus protest. The Islamophobia training covers forms of bias and racism toward Arab, Muslim and Palestinian people. But, unlike the JUF antisemitism video that presented a pro-Israel viewpoint on the conflict, there was no historical context or basic arguments for the Palestinian cause. Nor did it mention what has happened in Gaza after the 7 October Hamas attack. 'The point was not to foster conversation or give people a nuanced view of this conflict,' Northwestern's Cooper said. 'The point was to get people to agree on one particular worldview.' The trainings also drew criticism because they are often vague, and demand different standards for the Israeli and Palestinian causes. The ADL concedes that the hypothetical flyers criticizing Israel over its demolition of Palestinian homes 'could represent legitimate political discourse'. But it states that the flyers would be 'less acceptable' if the university administration had approved of them. 'What this training is saying is, 'If your school allows let's say Students for Justice in Palestine to put up a flyer like this, then they are necessarily violating Title VI', and that is just not true,' Salama said. The ADL's material repeatedly advises students on how to respond to criticism of Israel and antisemitism. It suggests pressuring administration to respond, contacting Hillel, reporting issues to the ADL or writing op-eds, among other actions. 'Strategize with your friends, campus Hillel and/or representatives of the pro-Israel community about countering the false allegations made in the flier and further educating about Israel's security challenges,' the ADL states. Northwestern students pointed to a list of controversial statements and claims made throughout the antisemitism training video, called 'Antisemitism Here/Now'. It employs a controversial and legally dubious definition of antisemitism written by the International Holocaust Remembrance Association, that critics say equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The video states that Israel was founded in 1948 'on British land', and refers to the West Bank as 'Judea and Samaria', the biblical name controversially used for the region by the Israeli government. The original Jewish homeland comprises parts of modern-day Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the video states. Bez questioned why the university did not utilize Northwestern scholars on the region and its history, and instead hired an outside pro-Israel group to develop the training. 'The content is incredibly unscholarly and has really, really egregious claims,' Bez said. 'It erases the pain and suffering of Palestinian people, and normalizes language that is being used to push the occupation.' In a statement, a Northwestern spokesperson said, 'part the University's mission is exposing our students to viewpoints that are different, and in some cases challenging, from their own – a key part of Northwestern's mission.' Meanwhile, as the narrator attempts to conflate Judaism and Zionism, it states that the 'vast majority' of Jewish people are Zionist. 'I am an anti-Zionist Jew and it doesn't make me feel good, safe or protected in the way the video claimed to,' Cooper said.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Northwestern University cuts over 400 jobs as campus turmoil and federal scrutiny deepen financial strain
Northwestern University Northwestern University, one of the nation's most respected research institutions, has entered a period of deep institutional reckoning. On Tuesday, university leadership announced the elimination of 425 staff positions, roughly 5 percent of its workforce budget, in what they described as a necessary step toward ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This move arrives after months of public criticism, political scrutiny, and internal efforts to stabilize operations. Nearly half of the eliminated positions were already vacant; the scope of the cuts signals the gravity of the situation facing the Evanston-based university. Behind the numbers: A strained financial structure The cuts come after a series of belt-tightening measures failed to close a growing budget gap. Northwestern had previously imposed a hiring freeze, withheld annual salary increases, and revised employee benefits in an attempt to curb costs. Personnel expenses currently account for 56 percent of the university's total expenditures, making workforce reductions the most immediate and impactful option on the table. However, university officials emphasized that the issue is not confined to internal mismanagement. The broader financial picture includes rapidly rising healthcare expenses, higher litigation costs, contractual labour obligations, and projected changes in federal funding policies. Politics on campus: A catalyst for institutional strain The crisis cannot be separated from the political turbulence that has enveloped the university in recent months. In April, student demonstrators established protest encampments on campus, calling for divestment from Israel. While a deal was eventually brokered to dismantle the encampments, President Schill refused to commit to divestment, drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. This episode contributed to heightened federal attention. The university has since been accused of failing to adequately respond to incidents of alleged antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Investigations launched by the Trump administration further intensified pressure on the institution, ultimately resulting in the freezing of nearly $800 million in federal research funds. The funding freeze: Symptom or cause? Although the loss of access to federal research funding has significantly strained the university's budget, Northwestern's leadership insists the job cuts were not a direct consequence of the freeze. Instead, they framed the decision as part of a broader recalibration in response to mounting fiscal and political stressors. Officials pointed to looming threats from Washington, including potential reductions in federal reimbursements for research infrastructure and proposed constraints on international student enrollment, both of which could significantly impact Northwestern's bottom line. Implications for the higher education sector Northwestern's decision to implement large-scale staff cuts underscores a new reality facing even the most well-resourced institutions. With a multibillion-dollar endowment and a reputation for academic excellence, the university was long viewed as insulated from the kinds of budget crises that plague smaller colleges. That perception is now being challenged. Across the country, universities are confronting political polarization, legal battles, and shifting government priorities. As federal oversight tightens and public scrutiny intensifies, many institutions may find themselves having to make similarly difficult choices, regardless of their financial reserves or academic rankings. What lies ahead for Northwestern In the coming months, Northwestern will face the dual task of rebuilding internal trust and navigating external pressures. For hundreds of employees, the job cuts represent not just a financial decision but a personal and professional upheaval. For students and faculty, they raise difficult questions about the university's priorities and its ability to protect its academic mission under strain. What remains clear is that the convergence of protest politics, financial instability, and federal intervention is reshaping the governance of higher education. Northwestern's current chapter may serve as a warning, or perhaps a blueprint, for what lies ahead at other American universities caught in the crosscurrents of ideological conflict and economic uncertainty. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Justin Timberlake tour videos leave fans appalled: What happens when stars disappoint us.
Justin Timberlake fans are worried about the tour. The world tour. Audiences at the pop star's Forget Tomorrow World Tour, are worried the singer's 50-city stretch is just that, forgetful. Fan video of recent shows depict Timberlake seemingly delivering lackluster performances, hardly delivering the vocal and dance skills the *NSYNC veteran has come to be known for over the decades. "Go girl give us nothing," one fan's text overlay read on a TikTok video showing Timberlake on stage Transylvania, Romania, earlier this month with a rain jacket hood pulled over his head as the audience did the heavy lifting of singing the words to "Can't Stop the Feeling!" The video has nearly 300,000 likes and over 11,000 comments. At another show in Dublin, Ireland, Timberlake punctuated "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by uttering lyrics like "I got this" intermittently, at one point putting his microphone on the stage and seemingly conducting the fans to sing and delivering such a low-key dance performance it felt like an ad-hoc kitchen singalong. Whether Timberlake intended to phone it in is a different story. But the uninspired performances are leaving some fans laughing. Others are feeling disappointed in a star they feel they've come to know over his many years in the spotlight. When we feel truly let down by a star, it can be a sign of a parasocial relationship — feeling like you know a celebrity when you really don't. And no one wants to hang out with a friend who doesn't want to be there. Timberlake's actions are leaving some fans feeling just so. Because we feel this parasocial closeness, we crave real opportunities for connection, Northwestern University Social Psychology professor Wendi Gardner previously explained to USA TODAY. And today's fans have come to expect a level of vulnerability and effort from stars to curate that bond. Take Beyoncé Knowles-Carter delivering '90s nostalgia with a surprise Destiny's Child reunion at her final "Cowboy Carter" concert in Las Vegas. Or Cyndi Lauper giving heart and color at her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour this summer. And the epic that was Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is not a distant memory to fans, during which fans made relationships with each other while Swift sang a powerhouse three-hour set. Tour success: Beyoncé makes history with highest grossing country tour, earning over $400 million "It's the first time I got to see you," said one disappointed Timberlake fan in a video. She shared that she waited in pouring rain all only to have Timberlake take the stage late and barely sing. "I get that you have a lot of concerts and are touring the world, or whatever, but you cannot be singing less than a quarter of a song," the fan said. Others reacted with humor, making skits that played up Timberlake's seemingly putting in the bare minimum. One acted as if Timberlake's concert "interrupted his busy day," carrying on with chores and answering phone calls between the artist's occasional words into the mic. Another rolled her eyes, donned a hooded sweatshirt and casually held a TV remote to mimic Timberlake's indication the fans should do the singing. Like Timberlake, Beyoncé, Lauper and Swift have likely sang the same songs hundreds of times to crowds so large their faces are indistinguishable. But their level of enthusiasm makes each person feel seen. Perhaps Timberlake should take a note, look in the "Mirror" reverberate what fans see in him.
Medscape
5 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Opioid Use Falls in ED Visits for Back Pain
TOPLINE: From 2016 to 2022, 5.3% of all US emergency department (ED) visits were for low back pain, with opioid prescribing declining and radiograph use remaining high. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between 2016 and 2022. They analyzed 6522 ED visits for low back pain (mean patient age, 45.4 years; 60.3% women; 56.4% non-Hispanic White). From 2016 to 2022, an estimated 52.8 million weighted ED visits for low back pain occurred in the United States, accounting for 5.3% of the 991.7 million weighted total ED visits during that period. Primary outcomes were usual diagnostic and therapeutic care for low back pain. TAKEAWAY: The mean pain score for ED visits was 7.2 out of 10. Opioid administration decreased from 35.0% in 2016 to 24.5% in 2022, and prescriptions declined from 32.5% to 13.5%. Radiographs were obtained in 39.4% of visits, and CT and MRI were used in 5.4% and 3.2% of visits, respectively. Both opioid prescribing and radiograph usage were highest among patients aged 75 years or older. IN PRACTICE: "From 2016 to 2022, an estimated 1 in 20 US ED visits were for a back pain-related reason, with a declining prevalence of opioid prescribing and a relatively stable prevalence of plain radiography use over the study period," the authors wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Anuva Fellner, MPH, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. It was published online on July 12, 2025, in Annals of Emergency Medicine. LIMITATIONS: This retrospective study relied on administrative data, possibly introducing misclassification bias due to variable data quality across sites. Results may not capture clinical nuances or reflect current practices beyond 2022. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. One author reported receiving stipend from the American Medical Association as Deputy Editor for JAMA Network Open. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
CBS News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Northwestern University to cut 425 positions amid budget crisis
Northwestern University announced Tuesday that it is cutting 425 positions amid a significant budget gap. The cuts involve an unspecified number of layoffs. Northwestern President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Amanda Distel told the university community that mounting financial pressures remain a threat to immediate and long-term financial stability. The letter said the university has already taken several measures to address the pressures. Northwestern announced in June that it was implementing a hiring freeze and would not pay out merit bonuses, and would also reduce administrative and academic budgets, likely leading to decreases in staff positions. Also in June, Northwestern announced that it was changing its tuition benefits program and health insurance for its staff and faculty beginning next year. But this was not enough, and the letter said Northwestern could not bridge its budget gap without cutting personnel costs — which account for 56% of expenditures. "Today, the University began the painful process of reducing our budget attributable to staff by about 5%, including layoffs," Northwestern said in a statement. "Of the approximately 425 positions being eliminated across schools and units, nearly half are currently vacant." In April, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding at Northwestern. The freeze affected grants from agencies like defense, agriculture, and health and human services. Northwestern was one of several universities subjected to of what the Department of Education calls "explosions of antisemitism" on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The initial report cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on national origin and applies to schools and institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding.
