• The US Justice Department has sued UCLA over alleged antisemitism against Jewish and Israeli staff.
• The lawsuit follows a surge in pro-Palestinian protests after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi stated UCLA allowed antisemitism to "flourish" on campus.
• The lawsuit is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against university activism.
• Critics argue this targets free speech and aims to suppress dissenting voices on campuses.

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging that the university's administration created a "hostile" work environment for Jewish and Israeli employees. The lawsuit points to incidents of antisemitism that reportedly spiked following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. This legal action claims that the university failed to adequately respond to complaints of antisemitism, constituting a severe and pervasive issue on campus, according to Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera, and Anadolu Agency.

The complaint, filed in federal court, alleges UCLA's administration not only ignored but also allowed antisemitic acts to occur on campus, thereby engaging in a "pattern or practice" of discrimination against Jewish employees. Following pro-Palestinian protests, the DOJ claims that the atmosphere deteriorated to the extent that it became hostile under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the department is committed to standing "strong against hate and anti-Semitism in all its vile forms," according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

This legal action marks the latest development in a broader campaign by the Trump administration to scrutinize academic institutions heavily involved in pro-Palestinian activism. Critiques have arisen regarding the administration's motives, suggesting the lawsuit could infringe on free speech rights for those participating in protests. Reports indicate that this lawsuit follows a previous demand for over $1 billion from UCLA for alleged civil rights violations linked to complaints of antisemitism and other related issues, particularly in light of the pro-Palestinian sentiment growing on U.S. campuses, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.