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Harvard University settles lawsuits over antisemitism on campus

Harvard University will shut down Jewish students as part of two legal settlements that accused the Ivy League of allowing anti-Semitism to flourish on campus and creating an environment of fear and hatred after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. and will provide additional protection to Israeli students.

The University of Massachusetts has agreed to add the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism to its anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies and provide training to faculty and staff to combat anti-Semitism, the university announces. did. Announced on Tuesday.

Harvard will also release annual reports over the next five years detailing its response to civil rights allegations, invest in additional academic resources to study anti-Semitism, and partner with Israeli universities. , will provide examples of prohibited anti-Zionist acts on its website.

Harvard University students and faculty are facing multiple allegations of anti-Semitism after pro-Palestinian protests erupted on campus.
AFP (via Getty Images)

A university spokesperson said, “We are committed to ensuring that the Jewish community is accepted, respected, and thrives at Harvard.”

“We are steadfast in our efforts to combat anti-Semitism and will continue to take strong steps to maintain a welcoming, open and safe campus environment where all students feel a sense of belonging. Today's settlement reflects our dedication to this mission.”

The Ivy League also agreed to pay an undisclosed amount but denied wrongdoing or liability.

The settlement strengthens the Title VI Civil Rights Act filed last year by the Center for Human Rights under the Brandeis Act and the Jewish student groups Students Against Anti-Semitism and Jewish Americans for Educational Equity. The lawsuit was settled.

Harvard University is facing a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging unchecked anti-Semitism against Jewish students on campus. Rafalino

The lawsuit comes after Harvard University came under intense criticism for its handling of anti-Israel protests that erupted on campus during the Israeli-Hamas war. Jewish students claimed they were bullied, spat at, threatened, and verbally and physically harassed.

In the lawsuit, Jewish students accused the university of failing to protect them from protesters who flocked to the school. AFP (via Getty Images)

The backlash comes in 2024 for inaction regarding anti-Semitism on campus and for failing to denounce more than 30 Harvard student organizations who published a letter condemning Israel for the deadly Hamas attack. This led to the resignation of then-provost Claudine Gay in January.

“With this settlement, Harvard University is demonstrating leadership in the fight against anti-Semitism and defending the rights of Jewish students,” a spokesperson for the Student Anti-Semitism Group said.

The protests began on campus after the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Harvard University PSC

“We appreciate Harvard University's proactive approach to achieving effective long-term change and its strong commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students educated on Harvard's campuses. I will.”

Mark Kasowitz, an adviser to Students Against Anti-Semitism, said the settlement includes “concrete” and “meaningful” actions that demonstrate Harvard's commitment to protecting Jewish and Israeli communities. I was proud of that.

“I commend them for taking these steps and encourage others to follow their lead,” he said.

Harvard University is one of about a dozen universities across the country accused in lawsuits of violating federal or state law by failing to protect Jewish students.

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