Los Angeles — The University of California, Los Angeles, has reached a $6.45 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by Jewish students, pending judicial approval. This decision follows allegations that the university disregarded the civil rights of Jewish students by allowing pro-Palestinian activists to restrict their access to certain areas of the campus.
The lawsuit was initiated in June 2024 by three Jewish students and a professor from the medical school, who claimed that UCLA failed to protect students from harassment. Tensions escalated in the spring of 2024, during a series of protests, when violent clashes erupted between pro-Israel counterprotesters and the encampment set up by pro-Palestinian activists. Campus police eventually intervened amidst the chaos.
As part of the settlement, each of the plaintiffs will receive $50,000. Additionally, $320,000 is earmarked for a campus initiative aimed at combating antisemitism. Furthermore, approximately $2.3 million will be allocated to eight Jewish community organizations and advocacy groups. Notable beneficiaries include Hillel at UCLA, the Academic Engagement Network, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Jewish Federation Los Angeles Campus Impact Network, as well as funding for a Holocaust-related film through the Film Collaborative Inc.
In a significant part of its settlement terms, UCLA has committed to refraining from actions that would permit the exclusion of Jewish students, faculty, or staff from university programs and campus areas based on their religious beliefs or opinions regarding Israel.
Gene D. Block, UCLA’s former chancellor, is among the university officials named in the lawsuit. He and other higher education leaders have been summoned to testify before Congress regarding antisemitism on college campuses.
This settlement represents a critical step in addressing concerns about antisemitism and ensuring equitable access to university resources for all students. The agreement will be in effect for a period of 15 years, allowing for ongoing monitoring of UCLA’s practices related to these issues.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the broader implications of this case will likely resonate across campuses nationwide, highlighting the complexities of navigating free speech, activism, and the rights of students in academic settings.
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