U.S. Sues UCLA Over Alleged Failure to Combat Antisemitism During Protests

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), accusing the institution of failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitism during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2024. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, alleges that UCLA tolerated a hostile educational environment, thereby violating federal civil rights laws.

According to the Justice Department, the university's inaction allowed for the harassment of Jewish students and the establishment of what it deemed illegal encampments on campus. The suit specifically points to the university's alleged "deliberate indifference" to the pervasive antisemitism experienced by students.

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Universities, that repeatedly violate our nation's civil rights laws by failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism, will be held accountable.

This legal action is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to combat antisemitism on American university campuses, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. The conflict stemming from those attacks has led to widespread protests and encampments at universities globally.

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk has refuted the allegations, asserting that the university has implemented various measures to combat antisemitism. Frenk stated that the claim of UCLA's passivity is "simply untrue," emphasizing the institution's commitment to addressing the issue. The lawsuit, however, suggests a significant gap between the university's stated actions and the experiences of its Jewish students.

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Let me be clear: The claim that UCLA has been passive in the face of antisemitism is simply untrue.