UCLA is facing a fresh lawsuit from the US Department of Justice over antisemitism — this time, for creating a “hostile educational environment.”
That’s one way to describe the mob of thugs who took over campus in 2024 and blocked Jewish students from reaching their classes or dorms unless they renounced “Zionism.”
The fact is that UCLA was indifferent, at best, to the outrageous behavior of the activists in the anti-Israel “encampment.”
Actually, it would be more accurate to say that UCLA backed the encampment, ringing it with steel fencing and protecting it with security personnel.
UCLA is facing a fresh lawsuit from the US Department of Justice over antisemitism — this time, for creating a “hostile educational environment.” Matt Gush – stock.adobe.comIt was only after a group of vigilantes from the surrounding neighborhoods invaded the encampment that UCLA finally did the obvious thing and called in the cops.
The DOJ also filed a lawsuit against UCLA earlier this year for creating a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli employees, who had to endure hatred on campus every single day.
Since then, UCLA has taken some small steps in the right direction. Most recently, a committee that Chancellor Julio Frank set up to deal with the problem made some sensible, if incremental, recommendations.
The committee, called the “Initiative to Combat Antisemitism,” said that UCLA should adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which protects criticism of Israel but says that denying Israel’s right to exist is bigotry.
It was only after a group of vigilantes from the surrounding neighborhoods invaded the encampment that UCLA finally did the obvious thing and called in the cops. REUTERSThe committee also said UCLA should ask faculty not to participate in anti-Israel boycotts. (Perhaps it should ask very nicely.)
All of that is anathema to the radicals. But it doesn’t go far enough.
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Antisemitism flourishes at UCLA not just because of irrational hatred of Jews and Israel, but because UCLA has also become a dangerous place for free speech in general.
The anti-Israel encampment didn’t just assault Jews and “Zionists.” It also assaulted members of the media who tried to document the protest.
There were no consequences.
The committee also said UCLA should ask faculty not to participate in anti-Israel boycotts. (Perhaps it should ask very nicely.) REUTERSIn fact, UCLA continues to protect students who violate the free speech of others — whether faculty, students or visitors.
After a group of UCLA law students disrupted a speech by a Department of Homeland Security official earlier this year, the administration threatened organizers, lest they publish the names of the hecklers.
There is no accountability — except for the pressure that DOJ Civil Rights chief Harmeet Dhillon and First U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli are bringing to bear.
More power to them.
