Lawsuit Filed Against UCSB Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Harassment
A new lawsuit claims that an employee at the University of California, Santa Barbara, assisted anti-Israel demonstrators in targeting a Jewish student leader. This employee, who was masked, is accused of exacerbating the harassment faced by Tessa Bexler, a 23-year-old political science and communications double major from Manhattan. Bexler alleges that the school repeatedly ignored her requests for help, as detailed in a federal court complaint filed on Thursday.
Bexler states that she endured a relentless anti-Semitic campaign after she condemned the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel. The situation intensified in February 2024, when Bexler confronted a group of masked protesters. She hoped to foster dialogue, but things took a turn when a UCSB representative (referred to as Defendant Doe 1) interrupted, allegedly inciting more hostility toward her.
The complaint paints a troubling picture of the anti-Semitic climate that Bexler faced during the 2023-2024 academic year, with accusations that university officials did little to address her plight. The campus saw posters labeling her as a “Zionist” and calling for her resignation, which were not only ubiquitous but also threatening. Bexler felt trapped, particularly near the Multicultural Center, known for being a hub of anti-Semitic activity, and, ironically, on her way to her own office.
Some posters ominously declared, “You can run, but you can’t hide, Tessa Wexler,” and included personal information like her phone number. The climate was compounded when UCSB’s official social media account showcased one of these threatening posters, raising further concerns about the university’s inaction.
The lawsuit argues that despite having established anti-discrimination policies, UCSB failed to protect Bexler, ultimately abandoning her to a hostile environment. The school released a statement on February 26, 2024, addressing the unrest related to the Middle East but notably did not mention Bexler by name.
Bexler has since become a vocal critic against anti-Semitism, suffering from panic attacks and PTSD due to her experiences. She seeks unspecified damages from UCSB and 20 employees, claiming violations of her civil rights regarding free speech and safety on campus.
