The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has agreed to pay nearly $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Jewish students and a professor who alleged the university allowed antisemitic discrimination during pro-Palestinian protests last year. The lawsuit claimed that with the 'knowledge and acquiescence' of university officials, protesters prevented Jewish students from accessing parts of campus and made antisemitic threats.
Under the settlement announced on Tuesday, UCLA admitted it had 'fallen short' and will pay $2.33 million to eight groups supporting UCLA's Jewish community, $320,000 to a campus initiative to combat antisemitism, and $50,000 to each plaintiff. The parties said in a joint statement, 'We are pleased with the terms of today's settlement. The injunction and other terms UCLA has agreed to demonstrate real progress in the fight against antisemitism.'
The Trump administration also announced that the US Department of Justice's civil rights division found UCLA violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by acting with 'deliberate indifference' in creating a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, 'UCLA failed to take timely and appropriate action in response to credible claims of harm and hostility on its campus.'
UCLA was the site of massive protests last year amid nationwide demonstrations over the war in Gaza, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to experts. The protests drew national attention, particularly after counter-protesters attacked pro-Palestinian demonstrators. UCLA also faces a separate lawsuit from over 30 pro-Palestinian protesters alleging negligence during the attack.
The university said it has taken 'substantive action' to combat antisemitism, including publicising campus bans on encampments, opposing calls to boycott Israel, and publishing a systemwide anti-discrimination policy. UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly said, 'Antisemitism, harassment and other forms of intimidation are antithetical to our values and have no place at the University of California.'
