Arabic version: وزارة العدل تقيم دعوى قضائية ضد جامعة كاليفورنيا في لوس أنجلوس بسبب مزاعم معاداة السامية
The United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging that its administration turned a blind eye to – and at times facilitated – grossly antisemitic acts and fostered a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli staff. This legal action, announced on February 25, 2026, is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration aimed at addressing pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place on university campuses.
According to Al Jazeera, the lawsuit claims that antisemitic incidents surged at UCLA following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on October 7, 2023. The Justice Department’s complaint emphasizes that the university’s administration allegedly allowed virulent anti-Semitism to flourish on campus, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of discrimination against Jewish individuals.
The lawsuit cites violations of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. The Justice Department contends that the environment at UCLA was so severe and so pervasive that it constituted a hostile work environment under the law, affecting both students and staff and leading to significant harm within the university community.
Critics of the lawsuit argue that it represents an effort by the Trump administration to suppress free speech and activism related to the pro-Palestinian cause. Many activists have denied the allegations of antisemitism, asserting that their protests aimed to raise awareness about human rights abuses occurring in Gaza.
The legal action follows a series of controversies surrounding protests at UCLA and other universities, where students have faced crackdowns from university authorities and law enforcement. In the past, UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a professor over claims of harm during these protests. The university has stated that it has implemented measures to combat antisemitism on its campus, but the ongoing legal challenges indicate that tensions between the administration and the federal government remain high.
