Federal Judge Orders UCLA to Craft Plan to Protect Jewish Students After Pro-Palestinian Protests

Federal Judge Orders UCLA to Create Plan to Protect Jewish Students Following Pro-Palestinian Protests

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a landmark decision on Monday, a federal judge ordered the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus. This directive comes months after pro-Palestinian protests erupted at UCLA, leading to allegations of discrimination and intimidation against Jewish students.

The lawsuit was filed by three Jewish students in June, citing their experiences of feeling unsafe and marginalized during demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war. Yitzchok Frankel, a UCLA law student and one of the plaintiffs, revealed that he declined an invitation to participate in a campus event due to concerns for his safety as a Jewish individual.

Frankel expressed his disappointment in UCLA’s failure to create a secure environment for Jewish students, stating, “My Jewish identity and religion are integral to who I am, and I believe it is important to mentor incoming students and encourage them to be proud of their Judaism, too.”

UCLA spokesperson Mary Osako responded to the court order by reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. Osako stated, “We have applied lessons learned from this spring’s protests and continue to work to foster a campus culture where everyone feels welcome and free from intimidation, discrimination and harassment.”

The University is now tasked with developing a proposed plan to address the concerns raised by the lawsuit, with a deadline set for next month. This proactive approach aims to rectify the issues raised by Jewish students and create a safer space for all individuals on campus.

The demonstrations at UCLA were part of a broader movement across college campuses protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict. Tensions escalated on campus in May, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Despite the challenges faced, UCLA remains focused on upholding its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and combatting all forms of discrimination.

As the university works towards implementing measures to protect Jewish students, the court’s decision marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals within the UCLA community.