A lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the University of California System claims shocking treatment of Jewish and Israeli students on campus. This includes areas where they felt restricted and incidents of physical assaults by demonstrators against Israel.
The lawsuit highlights that Jewish and Israeli students faced targeted violent crimes, which involved being struck with blunt objects, punched, kicked, and even pepper sprayed. It describes one incident where a student was knocked unconscious and required hospitalization due to a head injury.
Filed on Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in California, the complaint points specifically to UCLA, which allegedly overlooked severe incidents that occurred in 2024.
The situation above is part of a broader review by the Justice Department into alleged illegal admissions practices related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at UCLA.
According to court documents, on April 25, 2024, after several months of anti-Israel demonstrations, heavily masked agitators overtook a central area of the UCLA campus, openly hostile toward Jewish individuals. They erected illegal encampments and prevented access to academic buildings for Jewish students.
Witness accounts include that these demonstrators not only verbally attacked but physically assaulted Jewish individuals, with one student reportedly suffering severe injuries while another was pepper-sprayed.
The lawsuit asserts that UCLA made “no serious efforts” to address the issues until May 2025, which they argue also violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, outlawing discrimination in education based on race or national origin.
On April 25, the student group UC Divest, known for its anti-Israel stance, set up camp in a crucial area of UCLA. Some faculty members are alleged to have participated in the demonstrations, possibly facilitating illegal actions.
The complaint goes on to describe how these protesters not only obstructed access to the library and other facilities but also painted hate-filled graffiti and distributed wristbands allowing certain individuals passage while barring Jewish students.
Physical confrontations became commonplace, and protesters reportedly armed themselves, creating checkpoints that targeted Jewish students. One incident described involved a Jewish woman advocating against Hamas, who was violently surrounded and assaulted.
The confrontation escalated with a series of clashes between protesters and counter-protesters, resulting in more incidents of violence. This included a van displaying an anti-Semitic image parked on campus, which further fueled tensions.
During a survey conducted among Jewish and Israeli students after these events, around half reported experiencing or witnessing physical threats or assaults.
Taxpayer-funded damage to campus facilities reached $12.3 million, according to the complaint’s details.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon emphasized the Department’s commitment to holding UCLA accountable for fostering a hostile atmosphere for Jewish students. “Universities must provide a safe environment for all students,” she stated, while U.S. attorneys made it clear that violators of civil rights laws will face consequences.
UCLA’s administration responded, asserting their stance against anti-Semitism and the steps taken to promote safety on campus. The president of UCLA stated that the accusations in the lawsuit undermine the progress made in addressing these serious issues, expressing disappointment with federal actions against the university.
