George Mason University’s Adoption of IHRA Definition Draws Free-Speech Challenge
FAIRFAX, FA - October 29, 2025 George Mason University (GMU) is facing possible legal action after its removal of a student-posted video, citing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) “working definition” of antisemitism — a decision that has ignited debate over academic freedom and campus speech rights.
The episode centers on a short video shared by the student group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which described Israel as a “genocidal Zionist state” and the U.S. as “the belly of the beast.” GMU administrators said the post “raised fears and alarm” among the campus community, citing the IHRA definition to justify its removal.
Critics argue the adoption of the IHRA definition implicitly equates certain criticisms of Israeli policy with antisemitism - thus chilling legitimate political discourse on Palestine and Israel. The student group’s letter to university administrators asserts that their post was protected political speech under the First Amendment.
GMU’s policy shift is set against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny: the university formalized the IHRA definition in its non-discrimination policy in August 2024 and amended its Board of Visitors resolution earlier this year to reinforce adoption of that standard.
Observers note the broader implications: if the students proceed with a lawsuit, it could become the first federal court test of the IHRA definition’s constitutional application at a U.S. public university. For GMU, the incident raises key questions about balancing efforts to combat antisemitism with upholding robust protections for campus debate and dissent.