U.S. Justice Department Accuses UCLA of Failing to Address Antisemitism Amid Gaza Protests

The U.S. Justice Department has accused the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of violating federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students during pro-Palestinian campus protests sparked by Israel’s war in Gaza. The allegations follow an ongoing federal investigation into multiple U.S. universities over their response to demonstrations after the October 2023 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent military actions.

Officials claim UCLA allowed a hostile environment to persist, citing antisemitic incidents during protests where students demanded an end to U.S. support for Israel and divestment from weapons manufacturers linked to the conflict. The Justice Department is now seeking a voluntary resolution agreement with UCLA to eliminate the hostile environment and prevent future violations.

The accusations come a day after UCLA agreed to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit filed by students and a professor alleging antisemitism. At the same time, concerns about anti-Palestinian incidents were also raised, notably during a violent 2024 attack when a pro-Israel group assaulted a pro-Palestinian encampment with clubs and poles. Prosecutors recently confirmed that the only felony case connected to the attack ended in a plea deal that allowed the accused to avoid jail time.

The Trump administration has threatened to freeze federal funding for universities over their handling of campus protests, labeling pro-Palestinian demonstrators as antisemitic and extremist. Advocates, however, argue that criticism of Israel’s occupation is being wrongly equated with antisemitism. Rising tensions have fueled concerns about antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab bias across the U.S. amid the Gaza conflict.

Columbia University recently agreed to pay over $200 million to resolve a similar federal probe and restore suspended federal funding. UCLA has yet to comment on the Justice Department’s allegations.