UCLA to Pay $6M in Discrimination Settlement for Jewish Students

UCLA Settles Discrimination Complaints Over Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

UCLA has agreed to pay over $6 million to resolve discrimination complaints linked to last year’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations, during which Jewish students and faculty were reportedly prevented from accessing classrooms, the library, and other key campus areas. This settlement comes after a separate action by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which determined that the university failed to adequately address harassment and abuse directed at Jewish and Israeli students between October 7, 2023, and the present.

The DOJ's investigation uncovered evidence of systemic anti-Semitism at UCLA, prompting strong statements from officials. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the university’s actions put Jewish Americans at risk and would not be tolerated. The DOJ is also conducting ongoing investigations into other campuses within the University of California system.

While the exact cost of the "heavy price" remains unclear, the university and federal authorities are expected to negotiate a settlement. However, if no agreement is reached, a federal lawsuit could follow. The $6.13 million settlement announced earlier this week was the result of a June 2024 lawsuit filed by two law students and an undergraduate. They alleged that UCLA allowed a pro-Palestinian encampment to operate, which effectively barred Jewish students and faculty from accessing critical parts of the campus.

According to the lawsuit, UCLA allegedly supported the encampment by providing barriers and sending away Jewish individuals while taking no effective steps to ensure safe passage. In response to the initial complaint, the university disavowed any responsibility for protecting its Jewish students.

The settlement includes damages for the plaintiffs, $2.33 million in charitable contributions to eight organizations supporting the Jewish community, and attorneys’ fees and costs. As part of the agreement, UCLA must comply with a permanent court order prohibiting it from facilitating efforts to exclude Jewish students and faculty from campus.

Plaintiffs' attorneys described the settlement as the largest private settlement in a campus antisemitism case. A joint statement from the parties expressed satisfaction with the terms, noting that the injunction and other conditions represent progress in the fight against antisemitism.

UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly acknowledged the university’s shortcomings, emphasizing that antisemitism and harassment have no place at the University of California. She reiterated the institution’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The lawsuit alleged that the pro-Palestinian zones violated civil rights laws and discriminated against Jewish students. Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread across college campuses nationwide. Plaintiffs claimed that UCLA’s actions led to Jewish students and faculty being excluded from parts of the campus unless they disavowed Israel’s right to exist.

According to the lawsuit, activists used checkpoints, wristbands, barriers, and physical blockades to prevent Jewish students from passing through. For a week, the university administration was aware of these practices but chose to let them continue, instead instructing security staff to discourage unauthorized students from crossing the blocked areas.

Yitzchok Frankel, a plaintiff and recent UCLA Law graduate, criticized the university for prioritizing the interests of the demonstrators over the safety of Jewish students. He noted that the settlement brings justice to the campus and ensures equal treatment for Jewish individuals.

The settlement follows a previous court order from U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, who required UCLA to stop assisting antisemitic agitators who had created a “Jew Exclusion Zone” on campus. An attorney for the students highlighted that a report from UCLA’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias documented the university’s failure to protect Jewish students, describing its behavior as “de facto or structural antisemitism.”

Mark Rienzi, an attorney for the students, stated that administrators across the country had ignored antisemitic behavior during the encampments. He emphasized that the settlement sets a precedent, making it clear that mistreating Jews violates constitutional and civil rights laws.

The UCLA encampment was eventually dismantled in an overnight operation that resulted in over 200 arrests. Supporters of the demonstrators accused officials of overlooking a violent attack on the encampment by counterprotesters while swiftly arresting those sympathetic to the Palestinians.

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles welcomed the settlement, expressing hope that it would reinforce protections for Jewish students. The organization commended Jewish students for standing up for their rights and stressed the importance of creating a secure learning environment free from harassment and hate.

The 15-year agreement is awaiting approval by Judge Scarsi.