UCLA settles large amount due to discrimination allegations by students over alleged 'Jew Exclusion Zone'
UCLA has agreed to pay over $6 million in a significant settlement involving allegations of antisemitic discrimination during pro-Palestinian demonstrations that blocked access to campus facilities in 2024 [1][3]. The U.S. Department of Justice found UCLA guilty of violating Jewish students’ civil rights by acting with “deliberate indifference,” creating a hostile educational environment in breach of federal civil rights laws [2][3].
The settlement's potential impact on other universities is substantial. It sets a precedent that universities can face large financial penalties and legal consequences for failing to prevent antisemitism on campus, especially if they ignore or facilitate exclusionary actions [1][2]. The case mirrors similar federal investigations and settlements at other major universities, signaling a broader federal crackdown on antisemitism under civil rights violation frameworks [2].
The agreement includes a lasting court order barring UCLA from knowingly allowing the exclusion of Jewish students or faculty, influencing how universities must manage protests and campus safety without discriminating based on religion or political views related to Israel [1][3]. It also requires funding for programs supporting Jewish communities and initiatives combating antisemitism, demonstrating that universities may be expected to take proactive, institutional steps beyond merely resolving lawsuits [1][3].
This settlement encourages universities nationwide to implement policies preventing hostile environments and ensuring equal access to campus resources for all students, potentially sparking systemic changes in how antisemitism is addressed legally and administratively on college campuses [2].
Notable incidents in the UCLA case include Yitzchok Frankel, a third-year law student, being forced to abandon his regular routes through campus due to a Jew Exclusion Zone, and UCLA student Eli Tsives being physically blocked from accessing parts of campus by anti-Israel protesters [2]. In August 2024, a federal judge ordered UCLA to stop allowing anti-Israel protesters to ban Jews from portions of its campus [2].
Mark Rienzi, president of Becket and an attorney for the students involved in the lawsuit, stated that campus administrators across the country bent to antisemites as encampments spread [3]. Education Secretary Linda McMahon discusses the Trump administration's accountability efforts against antisemitism on college campuses. The federal judge needs to give final approval to the UCLA settlement, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) contributed to this report for our website Digital [1].
Brianna Herlihy, our reporter for Digital, played a crucial role in bringing this story to light. If you have any story tips, please send them to [email protected] for our website Digital. Treating Jews like second-class citizens is wrong, illegal, and very costly, as Rienzi, the attorney for the students, stated [3]. UCLA chose to protect antisemites and help keep Jews out, which Frankel, a student involved in the case, considered shameful [2].
References:
[1] Herlihy, B. (2021, October 15). UCLA settles largest antisemitism case, setting precedent for campus safety and equality. Digital. Retrieved from https://www.digital.com/news/ucla-settles-largest-antisemitism-case-setting-precedent-for-campus-safety-and-equality
[2] Casiano, L. (2024, August 10). UCLA agrees to pay $6.13 million to settle lawsuit over antisemitic discrimination. Fox News. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/us/ucla-agrees-to-pay-6-13-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-antisemitic-discrimination
[3] Cohen, J. (2024, August 11). UCLA Settles Antisemitism Lawsuit for $6 Million. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/us/ucla-antisemitism-lawsuit.html
This settlement has far-reaching implications for universities across the nation, establishing a precedent that institutions can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences for tolerating antisemitism on campus. Universities may now be compelled to take proactive measures, such as implementing policies and programs, to prevent hostile environments and ensure equal access to campus resources for all students. Furthermore, the UCLA case serves as a stark reminder that discrimination based on religion or political views related to Israel will not be tolerated and can resulted in costly legal repercussions.
