DOJ Files Lawsuit Against UCLA for Neglecting to Protect Jewish, Israeli Students

The Department of Justice has initiated legal action against UCLA, accusing the university of overlooking discrimination and violence faced by Jewish and Israeli students. This follows an incident in 2024 during a protest where students were attacked and pepper-sprayed.

Human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein has remarked on the politicization of antisemitism. University campuses have increasingly been focal points for discussions about antisemitism, particularly since the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict and subsequent protests.

University Classrooms Under Scrutiny

While public focus has largely centered on student protests, an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report highlights issues within academic settings. It points to professors and teaching assistants allegedly incorporating anti-Israel agendas in coursework and offering extra credit for attending such events. Some educators are accused of targeting Jewish and Israeli students.

The ADL emphasizes that these activities occur mostly unnoticed by the public, within the confines of academic environments.

The Anti-Defamation League warns of antisemitism permeating not only protests but also academic curricula.

Findings from the ADL Report

The ADL released their findings in January 2025, in collaboration with Hillel International and College Pulse. They reported that 27.3% of Jewish students observed antisemitic behavior from faculty members, potentially contributing to a hostile campus atmosphere.

The report highlighted instances where classes were canceled for students to partake in anti-Israel protests. At the University of California, Berkeley, students were allegedly offered extra credit for attending an event series titled “Thinking from Palestine: Dispossession, Liberation, and Return.” UC Berkeley Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof stated that there was no record of such extra credit being offered.

Additional Incidents Across University of California System

Incidents continued at UC Berkeley and other universities in the system. In October 2023, a teaching assistant at Berkeley offered extra credit for participating in an anti-Israel walkout. This drew significant attention online. The university responded, reaffirming its policy against political indoctrination.

The issues are not isolated to Berkeley. At UCLA, a similar offer of extra credit for attending an “Emergency Teach-in on the Crisis in Palestine” was reported.

Allegations from Other Institutions

The ADL also cited a report from Columbia University’s Task Force on Antisemitism, detailing classroom experiences. An Israeli student faced questioning about settler colonialism, and another student was labeled as a “murderer” for serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Further, a Jewish student, not of Israeli background, was confronted with accusations related to mass genocide.

Columbia University has aimed to improve its campus environment, focusing on bias incident reporting, enforcing protest policies, and supporting inclusive classrooms.

Incidents involving educators are particularly significant due to their authority over students. The ADL calls for comprehensive efforts to combat antisemitism, ensuring safety for all students on campus.