The University of California, Los Angeles, has agreed to a settlement of $6.45 million in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Jewish students and a faculty member. The lawsuit, initiated in June 2024, accused the university of failing to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests that took place on campus in the spring of 2024. The plaintiffs claimed that the protest encampments created areas that were inaccessible to Jewish students, which they described as "Jew exclusion zones."

As part of the settlement, each plaintiff will receive $50,000. Additionally, UCLA will donate approximately $2.3 million to eight organizations that work to combat antisemitism. The settlement also includes a commitment from UCLA to ensure that Jewish students and faculty are not excluded from any campus programs or activities. This provision will remain in effect for 15 years and is pending approval from U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who is overseeing the case.

The organizations set to receive funding include Hillel at UCLA, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Academic Engagement Network, among others. UCLA will also allocate $320,000 to its Initiative to Combat Antisemitism.

UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly stated, "Antisemitism, harassment, and other forms of intimidation are antithetical to our values and have no place at the University of California. We have been clear about where we have fallen short, and we are committed to doing better moving forward."

Yitzchok Frankel, a UCLA student and one of the plaintiffs, expressed his disappointment with the university's initial response but welcomed the settlement. "Today’s court judgment brings justice back to our campus and ensures Jews will be safe and be treated equally once again," he said.

The lawsuit stemmed from a series of pro-Palestinian protests that occurred at UCLA in April 2024, where activists called for the university to divest from companies linked to Israel. The protests escalated into violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and counterprotesters, leading to over 200 arrests. In response to the unrest, UCLA implemented a "zero tolerance" policy that prohibits encampments and masks that conceal identities during protests.

In addition to this lawsuit, UCLA is facing another legal challenge from pro-Palestinian supporters who allege that the university unlawfully suppressed antiwar voices and violated free speech rights. This case is still ongoing.

The settlement comes amid broader scrutiny of universities regarding their handling of antisemitism and free speech on campus. Recently, Columbia University announced it would pay $200 million to restore funding cut by the Trump administration over allegations of failing to address antisemitism. Barnard College also settled a lawsuit related to similar issues, which included provisions to ban masks at protests.

As UCLA moves forward, it has made changes to its security protocols and protest policies, including hiring a new police chief and establishing a dedicated Office of Campus Safety. Despite these changes, concerns remain about the enforcement of protest regulations and the balance between free speech and safety on campus.