Harvard University, which has been embroiled in numerous anti-Semitic controversies, has settled two lawsuits alleging anti-Semitic discrimination and anti-Israel discrimination, with a student vowing to keep fighting until justice is served.
Harvard University, experiencing pro-Hamas demonstrations erupting on campus after the terrorist group launched an attack on October 7, alleges anti-Semitic discrimination perpetrated by the Louis Brandeis Center Two lawsuits were settled, as well as a lawsuit brought by Students Against Antisemitism and Shabbos Kestenabaum.
The Brandeis Center's complaint alleges that three Harvard Kennedy School students were discriminated against based on their Israeli identity during their spring 2023 courses. When the students pitched a research project on Israel's free Jewish democracy, they were told by a professor that the subject matter was “offensive” and that they would suffer “consequences” if they did not change the subject matter, the suit says. claims.
As a Jewish student at Harvard University, I know Elise Stefanik is the right person to fight anti-Semitism at the United Nations.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – May 10: Harvard University police walk near a pro-Palestinian tent encampment in Harvard Yards. (John Turmacchi/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Professor Gantz, who taught the course, compared the “Jewish state” to “white supremacy” and allowed pro-Palestinian students to make vicious anti-Israel and anti-Semitic chants in class, while also students were denied that ability, exposing them to further discrimination. The lawsuit alleges that they must comply. Discrimination in the classroom culminated in a group photo of the professor, faculty, and entire class wearing keffiyehs. Israeli students felt targeted and declined to participate.
The Brandeis Center commissioned an external investigation into the incident, with the report finding that the students faced a “hostile learning environment” and that the Harvard Kennedy School failed to protect students from a “non-judgmental learning environment.” I concluded that it wasn't. Harvard agreed with the report's findings but failed to take appropriate action in response, the lawsuit alleges.
In another troubling allegation from the Brandeis Center, an Israeli-Jewish student at Harvard Business School was assaulted by a violent mob of pro-Hamas extremists on campus. The student, who was wearing a blue bracelet indicating support for the Jewish state, was swarmed by “security officers” who pushed and shoved him as he tried to film an anti-Israel protest on campus.
Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigns amid anti-Semitism and plagiarism controversy
Former Harvard University President Claudine Gay has rejected calls for genocide against Jews, saying they violate the school's rules against bullying. (Erin Clark/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard University fails to properly discipline violent students and attempts to “cover up the incident.”
The Students Against Anti-Semitism and Kestenbaum lawsuit accuses Harvard of becoming a “bastion of rampant Jewish hatred.”
Among other incidents outlined in the lawsuit, the lawsuit cites former Harvard University President Claudine Gay's damning testimony before the House Education Committee in December 2023, stating that she was Jewish refused to say whether the call for genocide violated the school's rules against bullying and harassment. Instead, it claims to be “context dependent.” Kestenbaum alleges that Harvard staff repeatedly harassed him online and that the university failed to take appropriate steps to protect him.
“@ShabbosK, be careful…I'm here for much more than blood – I'm here for Zionism, and I have friends.”[.] . . . We will bury you,” Harvard University Finance and Systems Coordinator Gustavo Espada posted on X.
Although Brandeis Center and SAS agreed to a settlement, Mr. Kestenbaum continues to pursue separate lawsuits against the Ivy League school.
“While I am glad that many of our demands have been met, the only way to ensure that no student is treated the way Harvard treated me is through disciplinary action,” Kestenbaum told Fox News Digital. , through accountability and discipline.”
As part of the settlement, Harvard University will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism as part of its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policy, host an annual symposium on anti-Semitism, and partner with Israeli universities. agreed.
Shabbos Kestenbaum continues his lawsuit. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
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“Recent settlements are real progress, but we have a long way to go before Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist students can enjoy full equality on campus. We need to solidify our footing,” said former Harvard University Hillel director. Andrew Geller said.
“This resolution fights anti-Semitism, ensures that Jewish and Israeli students are welcome and able to thrive on campus, and that complaints of discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students are treated in the same way. “This is consistent with Harvard's commitment to ensuring that it is treated with the same urgency as all protected groups,” Harvard said in a statement.
