Right After Trump Takes Office Harvard Moves to Settle Two Major Antisemitism Lawsuits

Harvard settled two lawsuits alleging antisemitism on campus, leading to new rules that redefine how the University addresses anti-Jewish bias.

Key Facts:

• The settlement was reached for an undisclosed sum and occurred right after President Donald Trump took office.
• Harvard agreed to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism.
• Both Students Against Antisemitism (SAA) and the Brandeis Center claimed the University failed to protect Jewish students.
• Harvard will partner with an Israeli university, despite objections from pro-Palestine student groups.
• One plaintiff, Shabbos Kestenbaum, chose not to join the settlement and plans to continue legal action.

The Rest of The Story:

Harvard’s settlement resolves two Title VI lawsuits filed in the past year by student groups that claimed the University mishandled antisemitic incidents.

Under the agreement, Harvard will clarify its non-discrimination policies to explicitly include protections for Jewish students.

It will also officially adopt a broad definition of antisemitism that includes certain criticisms of Israel.

As part of the deal, Harvard will appoint a dedicated staff member to oversee antisemitism complaints and publish an annual report on relevant Title VI cases.

The University also plans to create a partnership with an Israeli institution, which is a direct rejection of calls from pro-Palestine groups to end such collaborations.

While Harvard has not admitted wrongdoing, it has pledged to strengthen protections for Jewish students in response to the lawsuits.

SAA’s lead plaintiff, Shabbos Kestenbaum, refused to sign onto the settlement.

Kestenbaum, a recent Harvard Divinity School graduate, publicly criticized Harvard’s handling of antisemitism and vows to pursue further legal remedies.

Commentary:

With President Trump’s stated goal of holding universities accountable, schools like Harvard seem more compelled than ever to address antisemitism.

The message is clear: under a new federal administration, higher education institutions may face consequences if they fail to act on claims of anti-Jewish bias.

This shift suggests that blatant antisemitism on campuses might see a significant reduction in the coming years.

In this climate, universities will likely be more vigilant in tackling discrimination to avoid prolonged legal battles and federal scrutiny.

The Bottom Line:

Harvard’s settlement marks a noticeable shift in how colleges will handle antisemitism under the Trump administration.

Stricter definitions and more proactive measures are likely on the horizon.

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The case also signals an evolving campus landscape where concerns about Jewish students’ rights could take center stage.