Los Angeles, CA (May 27, 2026)

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the University of California, alleging that UCLA failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitic harassment, discrimination and violence following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The complaint focuses heavily on the April 2024 anti-Israel encampment at UCLA’s Royce Quad, where protesters allegedly set up barricades, checkpoints and restricted access to parts of campus. Federal officials say Jewish and Israeli students were blocked from classrooms, libraries and walkways, and in some cases were pressured to disavow Zionism before being allowed to pass.

The lawsuit alleges that students were subjected to physical attacks, threats, pepper spray and other forms of intimidation. Federal officials also cited allegations that some students were beaten or struck during the unrest, including one who was seriously injured during violent clashes.

According to the complaint, protesters created organized barriers and groups that controlled access to campus areas, while university officials failed to enforce school rules or intervene quickly enough. Federal officials described the encampment and surrounding clashes as a severe disruption that left many Jewish students afraid to attend class or move freely around campus.

The Justice Department says UCLA violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by showing deliberate indifference to a hostile educational environment based on Jewish and Israeli identity. The suit also alleges that more than 100 complaints from Jewish and Israeli students were not adequately addressed.

Federal officials cited internal findings indicating that UCLA leadership allowed the encampment to continue for days despite repeated reports of harassment and intimidation. The complaint says the university’s inaction led many Jewish students to avoid campus, consider transferring or feel excluded from normal student life.

The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in federal scrutiny of campus antisemitism following the wave of anti-Israel demonstrations that spread across universities after October 7. The Justice Department says universities receiving federal funds are legally required to protect students from discrimination and must respond decisively when targeted harassment interferes with education.