Harvard settles antisemitism case: Jewish students compensated

Following Harvard's failure to curb antisemitic incidents on campus, the prestigious university signs a settlement in which it agrees to adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism, that includes certain criticism of Israel as antisemitic speech 

Harvard University has signed a settlement with a group of Jewish students and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, who sued the academic institution alleging that it failed to respond to antisemitism on campus.
As part of the settlement, the university will pay the plaintiffs an undisclosed amount of compensation and adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which includes certain criticism of Israel as antisemitic speech.
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מחאה נגד ישראל בארה"ב
מחאה נגד ישראל בארה"ב
Anti-Israel protest in Harvard
(Photo: AP)
In addition, the university has pledged to establish a formal partnership with a university in Israel, a move that was made in defiance of demands from pro-Palestinian organizations that have exerted heavy pressure on the administration. Harvard also pledged to publish a statement on its official website stating that “For many Jewish people, Zionism is a part of their Jewish identity. Conduct that would violate the Non-Discrimination Policy if targeting Jewish or Israeli people can also violate the policy if directed toward Zionists."
According to the settlement agreement, the university will establish a new mechanism to handle complaints concerning antisemitism, recruit an expert to oversee the handling of the issue, and allow the Brandeis Center to hold pro-Israel events on campus. In addition, Harvard’s School of Public Policy will allow three of its alumni to host an open discussion on Jewish-Israeli democracy.
The settlement did not include an admission of responsibility or guilt on the part of the university, but it marks a significant shift in the institution’s policy regarding antisemitism and discourse on Israel. According to sources involved in the agreement, Harvard will now follow the IHRA definition in reviewing disciplinary cases, a change that places the university in a small group of American institutions that have adopted the controversial definition.
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נשיאת אוניברסיטת הרווארד קלודין גיי בשימוע בקונגרס
נשיאת אוניברסיטת הרווארד קלודין גיי בשימוע בקונגרס
Former Harvard President Claudine Gay
(Photo: AP)
According to the IHRA's definition: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
Supporters of the move argue that this is a necessary step to protect Jewish students and prevent antisemitic harassment. On the other hand, critics of the agreement warn that it could harm free speech and create an atmosphere of academic censorship.
The signing of the arrangement comes after months of tension on campus in the wake of the war in Gaza. Immediately after the October 7 massacre, violent protests erupted at Harvard, including an open letter from more than 30 student groups accusing Israel of committing genocide. These events contributed to the resignation of the university's president, Claudine Gay, who faced criticism for her handling of antisemitic cases.
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הפגנות פרו פלסטיניות בהרווארד
הפגנות פרו פלסטיניות בהרווארד
Anti-Israel protests in Harvard
(Photo:REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
The settlement, however, did not include all the plaintiffs. Shabbos Kestenbaum, who graduated from the institution in June, declined to join the agreement and will continue his lawsuit against Harvard.
"A year ago, I decided to sue Harvard over their blatant Civil Rights violations and normalization of antisemitism on campus. Although certain Jewish nonprofits discouraged us, we charted a new path forward for young American Jewry, and I’m delighted that there are now more than a dozen such cases filed by heroic Jewish students across the country. I am deeply grateful for the 4 other plaintiffs at Harvard who decided to join me. Although I wish they weren’t anonymous, their bravery is commendable. Harvard, rather than apologize or recognize antisemitism on our campus, filed two separate motions to dismiss our case with prejudice. They lost."
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"We are the first case of its kind to go to trial. I am happy that many of my demands, like the implementation of the IHRA definition and a partnership with an Israeli University, were met during the settlement negotiations. It’s pathetic, however, that Harvard needed a lawsuit for this to happen. That being said, our country is suffering from a crisis of accountability. The only way to defeat lawlessness is through punishment and discipline. Harvard must never even think about treating another student like the way the treated me," he added in his statement.
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