A federal judge has dismissed a sweeping lawsuit accusing George Washington University of allowing rampant antisemitism on campus, ruling that the complaint was far too lengthy to comply with federal court rules. While the case was thrown out on procedural grounds, the plaintiffs have been given 30 days to file a shorter version.

The decision, issued July 31 by a federal magistrate judge, rejected the lawsuit against the Washington, D.C.-based university, which alleged that school officials failed to address what the complaint described as “pervasive and severe” antisemitic conduct on campus, JNS reported.

The ruling did not address whether the allegations themselves have merit. Instead, the court found that the filing violated procedural requirements governing the format and length of civil complaints, while allowing the plaintiffs an opportunity to refile.

The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2025 by two former George Washington University students together with Compliance, Accountability, Policy, Ethics-Ed, an advocacy organization representing students, alumni, and other members of the university community. The plaintiffs argue that the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from a hostile campus environment.

In his opinion for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Trevor McFadden concluded that the nearly 200-page complaint, which contains more than 1,000 numbered paragraphs, does not comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. The rule requires plaintiffs to provide “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.”

McFadden wrote that “Much of its length stems from excessive narrative,” while also recognizing “the serious nature of the allegations at issue.” He gave the plaintiffs 30 days to submit a revised complaint that satisfies the federal court’s procedural standards.

George Washington University is one of numerous American colleges that have experienced a surge in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel, including anti-Israel demonstrations and campus encampments.

Among the incidents cited during that period was an anti-Israel protest in which a demonstrator was photographed holding a sign reading “Final Solution,” the same term used by the Nazis for their plan to exterminate the Jewish people.

In another highly publicized episode, anti-Israel protesters staged a mock tribunal at the university and called for a “guillotine” to be used against university President Ellen Granberg and other school administrators.

{Matzav.com}