Justice Department Sues UCLA Over Anti-Semitic Harassment Allegations
The Justice Department announced on Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This legal action claims that the university failed to protect Jewish students during a series of anti-Israel protests, leading to a “hostile educational environment.” Reports indicate students faced assaults, were locked out of buildings, and felt intimidated about attending classes.
The lawsuit contends that, “The occupiers largely succeeded in their goal of creating a central campus.” This statement reflects claims about excluding Jewish students who do not align with a specific agenda against Israel.
In a lengthy 53-page complaint, the Department accused UCLA of “deliberate indifference” to the discrimination Jewish students encountered, which may breach Title VI regulations and put federal funding at risk.
The Justice Department emphasized that “UCLA has been willfully indifferent to the suffering of Jewish and Israeli students and has refused to take meaningful action to protect them.”
Background of the Lawsuit
This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to combat anti-Semitism linked to the recent surge of anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The complaint asserts that UCLA’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion continually overlooked over 100 reports of anti-Semitic harassment. These complaints range from instances where Jewish students were blocked from entering campus buildings to physical assaults, including beatings and being pepper-sprayed. The Department of Justice argued that ignoring such complaints undercuts Title VI protections and risks financial consequences for the university.
Central to the case are events surrounding a week-long anti-Israel protest encampment that occurred on campus in late April 2024. These protests erupted in response to intensifying tensions in the Gaza region. Following the protests, the Trump administration formed a task force focused on anti-Semitism, which visited UCLA to address the situation.
The protests initiated on April 25, 2024, were reportedly obstructive, trapping Jewish students and limiting their access to necessary campus facilities. One particularly concerning incident involved a Jewish student who was physically attacked and rendered unconscious.
Continuing Issues
Police intervention to disperse the encampment didn’t happen until May 2, 2024, when chaotic confrontations ensued, involving pepper spray and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Notably, six UCLA police officers were injured during the fracas that took place on June 10, 2024, while attempting to manage new demonstrations.
Even after expressing concerns regarding the violence of the protests in spring 2024, UCLA’s safety officials were reportedly instructed to prioritize “de-escalation” over strict enforcement of university policies during subsequent protests in 2025 and 2026.
During a demonstration on October 7, 2025, for Justice in Palestine, police passively observed despite violations, such as students not adhering to the campus “no-mask rule.” When questioned about inaction, one officer stated, “It’s not that high on the totem pole.”
Notably, the lawsuit heavily referenced findings from UCLA’s own task force, highlighting that the school’s leadership consistently failed to safeguard Jewish students’ rights on campus.
The lawsuit also highlighted survey results indicating that nearly 60% of Jewish students felt compelled to reduce their campus presence due to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiments, with over 40% contemplating leaving the university entirely for similar reasons.
This lawsuit comes on the heels of another filed by the Justice Department in February, which accused UCLA of discriminatory practices against Jewish and Israeli staff members.
UCLA has not yet publicly addressed the lawsuit, and inquiries from various media outlets are ongoing.
