Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Harvard Over Alleged Campus Antisemitism

A federal judge ruled that Harvard University must face a lawsuit from Jewish students who allege the school allowed antisemitism to thrive on campus. District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston found the claims that Harvard was indifferent to the safety and harassment concerns of Jewish and Israeli students to be plausible. Stearns expressed skepticism over Harvard’s potential defense that some pro-Palestinian or anti-Jewish activities were protected under the First Amendment. The students are seeking an injunction against Harvard for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by institutions receiving federal funds. The lawsuit was filed in January amid broader accusations of antisemitism on university campuses and followed the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay. Harvard has not yet commented, while the students’ lawyer, Marc Kasowitz emphasized the need for changes in Harvard’s conduct.