Harvard University – which it saw itself becoming Involved in numerous anti-Semitic controversies – It settled two cases alleging discrimination against Jews and anti-Israelism, with one student vowing to continue the fight until justice is achieved.
Harvard University, which saw its campus erupt in pro-Hamas demonstrations after the terrorist group launched its attacks on October 7, has settled two separate lawsuits alleging anti-Semitic discrimination, one brought by the Louis Brandeis Center and one brought by Students Against Anti-Semitism. And Shabbos Kestinabaum.
The Brandeis Center complaint alleged that three Harvard Kennedy School students were discriminated against based on their Israeli identities during the spring 2023 session. When the students presented a research project on Israeli liberal Jewish democracy, their professor told them the topic was “offensive” and if they did not change topics they would suffer “consequences.” “, the lawsuit claims.
CAMBRIDGE, MA – MAY 10: Harvard University Police walk by a pro-Palestinian tent in Harvard Square. (John Tlumacki/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Professor Ganz, who taught the course, likened the “Jewish state” to “white supremacy” and subjected students to further discrimination by allowing pro-Palestinian students to express virulent anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric in class while denying Israeli students the ability to do so. To respond, the lawsuit claims. Discrimination in the classroom reached its peak when the professor, his classmates, and the entire class wore keffiyehs for a group photo. Israeli students, feeling targeted, refused to participate.
The Brandeis Center commissioned an external investigation into the incident, and the report concluded that the students faced a “hostile learning environment,” and that the Harvard Kennedy School failed to protect them from a “bias-free learning environment.” Harvard agreed with the report's findings, but the lawsuit claims it failed to take appropriate action in response.
In another disturbing allegation from the Brandeis Center, an Israeli Jewish student at Harvard Business School was assaulted by a violent mob of pro-Hamas extremists on campus. The student, who was wearing a blue bracelet to indicate his support for the Jewish state, attempted to film an anti-Israel demonstration on his campus when he was overrun by “security guards” who pushed and shoved him.
Harvard University President Claudine Guy resigns amid anti-Semitism and plagiarism controversy
Former Harvard University President Claudine Jay declined to say that calls for genocide against Jewish people conflict with the school's rules against bullying. (Erin Clark/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard failed to properly discipline violent students and attempted to “sweep the incident under the rug.”
In the Students Against Antisemitism and Kestenbaum lawsuit, Harvard was accused of becoming a “bastion of rampant Jewish hatred.”
Among other incidents described in the case, the lawsuit cites former Harvard University President Claudine Guy The December 2023 certification is disastrous before the House Education Committee in which she declined to say whether calls to commit genocide against Jewish people conflict with school rules against bullying and harassment, instead claiming it “depends on the context.” Kestenbaum alleges that a Harvard employee repeatedly harassed him online, and the university failed to take appropriate action to protect him.
“@ShabbosK, watch your back… I'm coming for much more than just blood – I'm coming for Zionism, and I have a group (.)… We're burying you.” Gustavo Espada, finance and systems coordinator at Harvard University, posted on X.
While the Brandeis Center and SAS have agreed to the settlements, Kestenbaum continues to pursue his case against SAS. Ivy League school Separately.
“I am glad that many of our demands have been met, however, the only way to ensure that no student is treated the way Harvard treated me is punishment, accountability, and discipline,” Kestenbaum said. Fox News Digital.
As part of the settlements, Harvard University agreed to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism as part of its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies, host an annual symposium on anti-Semitism and partner with an Israeli university.
Shabbos Kestenbaum continues its lawsuit. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
“The recent settlement represents real progress. But there is a long way to go before Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist students will enjoy full equality on campus. The courts and the Trump administration must hold Harvard's feet to the fire,” former Harvard Hillel director Andrew Geerer said.
“This decision is consistent with Harvard’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism and ensuring that its Jewish and Israeli students are welcome and able to thrive on its campuses, and that complaints of discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students are treated in the same manner and with the same urgency.” “Like all protected groups,” Harvard University said in a statement.
