Written: July 29, 2025, 16:30 EDT

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has agreed to a $6.13 million legal settlement with three Jewish students and a professor who alleged the university failed to protect them during pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2024. The plaintiffs argued that they were blocked from accessing classes and university spaces, a violation of their civil rights under federal law.

The settlement comes in the wake of a federal judge’s finding that UCLA had acted with “deliberate indifference,” and amid a broader national reckoning on how universities respond to protest activity and civil rights protections.

Federal ruling holds UCLA accountable

The civil rights lawsuit centered on events during a series of on-campus demonstrations at UCLA in 2024, where pro-Palestinian protesters established encampments opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The plaintiffs alleged that during the demonstrations, Jewish students and faculty were obstructed from attending class, accessing campus buildings, and safely participating in university life.

Although UCLA initially argued that it was not responsible for protest-related obstructions caused by non-university actors, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi ruled otherwise. He determined the university had an obligation to ensure safe and equal access for all students, regardless of who was involved in the demonstrations.

In response to the ruling, UCLA was ordered to develop a plan to prevent future incidents and protect Jewish students from harassment or exclusion on campus.

Civil rights violation confirmed by Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division later supported the court’s conclusion, stating that UCLA had violated both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

In an official statement, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said, “UCLA failed to take timely and appropriate action in response to credible claims of harm and hostility on its campus.” She added that the university’s inaction contributed to a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students.

As part of the agreement, UCLA is now required to ensure that Jewish students, staff, and faculty are provided equal access to campus programs, facilities, and events, without discrimination or disruption.

Settlement includes monetary damages and policy changes

The $6.13 million settlement will cover damages and legal fees for the plaintiffs and provide funding to eight Jewish organizations. In addition to financial compensation, the settlement includes university commitments to enforce new protest and demonstration policies, with an emphasis on safeguarding students’ rights to access and safety.

The University of California system, which oversees UCLA and nine other campuses, has already introduced new guidelines for campus demonstrations, aiming to strike a balance between free expression and civil rights protections.

Although UCLA did not provide an immediate public comment on the agreement, the university has stated in past statements that it remains committed to campus safety and inclusive education.

Incident draws national attention

The events that led to the lawsuit were part of a broader wave of campus protests across the U.S. in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. At UCLA, tensions escalated when counterprotesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment one night, hurling objects and using pepper spray in clashes that lasted several hours.

More than a dozen people were injured in the confrontation before police intervened. The following day, when hundreds of protesters refused to disperse, law enforcement arrested over 200 individuals.

The violent confrontations and perceived delays in police response drew criticism from students, faculty, advocacy groups, and political leaders.

Trump administration backs lawsuit, expands probes

In March 2025, the Trump administration joined the UCLA lawsuit as part of a broader federal investigation into antisemitism and civil rights violations at multiple U.S. universities. The Department of Justice opened additional inquiries into institutions including Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota, and Portland State University.

Just last week, Columbia University reached a separate $200 million agreement to resolve related allegations. That deal also included restoring over $400 million in previously withheld research grants.

According to administration officials, the Columbia settlement is being used as a blueprint for future university agreements, with financial accountability now seen as a key requirement in resolving campus civil rights violations.

Pro-Palestinian group files counter-lawsuit

In a parallel legal action, a group of 35 pro-Palestinian students, legal observers, faculty, and activists also filed suit against UCLA, claiming that the university failed to protect their safety during the same protest events.

Their lawsuit points to the night of violent attacks against the protest encampment as evidence of the university’s inadequate response to threats. Several protesters sustained injuries, and advocacy groups, including Muslim student organizations, condemned the perceived indifference by campus security and local law enforcement.

Some Jewish students across various U.S. campuses have also participated in protests criticizing Israeli military policy in Gaza, demonstrating the complex and diverse perspectives within student communities.

Broader implications for U.S. higher education

The UCLA settlement marks a turning point in how universities handle campus protests and address allegations of civil rights violations. With increased scrutiny from federal agencies and potential financial consequences, institutions are under growing pressure to ensure student safety, protect freedom of expression, and comply with anti-discrimination laws.

As the debate over U.S. involvement in the Middle East continues, universities are expected to face more legal and political challenges tied to the intersection of activism, safety, and civil rights.

Source: AP News – UCLA reaches $6 million settlement with Jewish students and professor over campus protests

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A wave of anger and defiance swept through the streets of Gaza on Saturday as mourners gathered for the funeral of 22-year-old Oday Nasser Al Rabay. The young protester was found lifeless outside his family home after allegedly being kidnapped, tortured, and executed—his relatives say—by members of Hamas.

His funeral turned into a rallying cry against Gaza’s rulers. Hundreds of mourners marched through the streets, their chants of “Hamas out!” echoing the very demonstrations Al Rabay had participated in. His murder marks the first known retaliatory killing since protests erupted last week across multiple locations in Gaza.

Hamas, the militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, has faced growing discontent. Protesters have taken to the streets, demanding change. But speaking out comes at a cost. A Gazan activist now exiled in Turkey, who has been sharing footage of the demonstrations online, claims he has received direct threats from senior Hamas officials.

Despite eyewitness accounts and video evidence, Hamas insists that the protests were directed at Israel, not at their own governance. Al Jazeera, a Qatari-owned media outlet, echoed this narrative. However, other Arabic media sources have reported that the protests were indeed aimed at Hamas.

As tensions escalate, Hamas leaders appear to be weighing their options. According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, some within the organization have expressed a willingness to release a few hostages in exchange for a truce during Eid al-Fitr, which begins on Sunday evening. This move could be an attempt to ease pressure and regain public favor amid rising unrest.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza have further constrained Hamas’ ability to suppress protests, limiting their reach and enforcement mechanisms.

Al Rabay’s killing has become a symbol of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge Hamas’ rule. As dissent grows and international attention turns to Gaza, one question remains: Will the people’s anger lead to meaningful change, or will Hamas tighten its grip even further?

Video: Hamas tortures, murders 22-year-old Gazan protest leader

Source: i24News – Family of slain Gazan protester blames Hamas for his death

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Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians have taken to the streets to protest against both Israel’s military campaign and Hamas, which governs the enclave. Many blame Hamas for triggering the conflict and Israel for the relentless destruction that has followed.

On Tuesday, demonstrators in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, openly called for Hamas to step down, marking one of the largest protests against the militant group since its October 7 attacks on Israel. A second day of protests followed on Wednesday in Beit Lahia and Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Protesters chanted slogans such as “For God’s sake, Hamas out” and “We want an end to the war.” Signs read “We Want to Live” and “Stop the Genocide.”

“Our message is to the Israeli army to stop the bloodshed,” said Mahmoud Haj Ahmad, a surgeon at Kamal Adwan Hospital who joined the protest. “Our final message to Hamas: Enough is enough. You have ruled long enough; give others a chance.”

Many Palestinians privately oppose Hamas but fear speaking out due to potential retribution. However, the war’s devastation has driven some to break their silence.

“Our demand is that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” said lawyer Mohammed Attalah. “This chaos they have created is enough.”

Raed Abu Hamouda, another Palestinian from northern Gaza, wanted to join the protests but was unable to reach them. “People’s voices must come before the sound of gunpowder,” he said, emphasizing the need for a unified Palestinian government with international and regional backing.

The war, which began after Hamas’s October 7 attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken, has resulted in severe consequences for Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians. The destruction has left much of the enclave in ruins, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that 90% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced between October 7, 2023, and January 2025. The situation has deteriorated further after Israel halted humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Hamas’ Government Media Office downplayed the protests, describing them as “spontaneous” and claiming they do not reflect the broader public opinion. “These demonstrations result from the unprecedented pressure our people are experiencing,” it said, blaming Israel for trying to create internal divisions.

Despite this, some activists fear Hamas may crack down on future protests. “There is fear and worry about participating,” said activist Abdullah Ahmed from Jabalia.

Hamas still has a significant support base, with some residents believing the group remains strong. One Hamas supporter, who requested anonymity, insisted that most people are too preoccupied with finding food and water to protest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pointed to the protests as proof that Israel’s military campaign is working. “In recent days, we have seen something we’ve never seen before – open protests in the Gaza Strip against Hamas rule,” he said during a speech in Israel’s Knesset.

A survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that public support for Hamas’ October 7 attack has declined—from 71% approval in March 2024 to 57% by June 2024. As the war drags on, living conditions continue to worsen, increasing frustration among civilians.

For many in Gaza, the immediate concerns are survival, not politics. “Our demands are to feed our people, to quench their thirst, to see our children educated and not dying,” said protester Belal Abu Zaid.

When asked whether he feared Hamas’ retaliation, Abu Zaid replied, “There is no more fear. Death can happen at any minute.”

“Enough war, enough exhaustion, enough humiliation.”

Source: – CNN – ‘Enough war’: Why Gazans are protesting Hamas now

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