[markoman]

What exactly are the 'unsafe anti-Semitic actions' that Harvard Univ has committed? Is this whole thing about how Harvard hasn't suppressed the free speech rights of its students as they protested the wholesale bombing of Gaza? Its not like Harvard is rife with far-right activists denying the Holocaust and such. I can't imagine that Harvard wouldn't win their case quite roundly. Law firms & universities have to stop bowing to the wanna-be dictator.

[uhhhd]

Why not try to do the minimum amount of research before complaining about it online? Here's a complaint from a recent lawsuit by a collection of Jewish Harvard students against the university. It's a good starting point. https://www.kasowitz.com/media/unxcnvpo/harvard-complaint.pd...

[uhhhd]

If you prefer a summary:

Key Allegations: 1. Hostile Environment: The complaint describes a campus atmosphere where pro-Hamas students and faculty have organized demonstrations featuring antisemitic slogans and calls for violence against Jews and Israel. These protests have reportedly disrupted classes and occupied campus spaces, creating an environment of fear and intimidation for Jewish students. 2. Administrative Inaction: Despite numerous complaints and reports of antisemitic incidents, the university administration is accused of failing to take appropriate disciplinary actions against perpetrators. The plaintiffs argue that this inaction amounts to deliberate indifference, exacerbating the hostile environment. 3. Double Standards: The lawsuit claims that Harvard enforces its anti-discrimination policies selectively, protecting other minority groups while neglecting the safety and rights of Jewish students. This alleged inconsistency is presented as evidence of institutional bias. 4. Faculty Conduct: Certain faculty members are accused of promoting antisemitic rhetoric in their teachings and public statements, further contributing to the hostile climate on campus. 5. Failure to Uphold Policies: The plaintiffs contend that Harvard has not adhered to its own stated policies on discrimination and harassment, thereby breaching contractual obligations to its students.

Legal Claims: • Violation of Title VI: The university is accused of failing to prevent discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, as mandated by federal law. • Breach of Contract: By not enforcing its anti-discrimination policies, Harvard is alleged to have breached its contractual commitments to provide a safe educational environment. • Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing: The plaintiffs argue that the university’s actions, or lack thereof, violate the fundamental expectations of fairness and protection owed to students.

[Braxton1980]

These protests were mostly against the state of Israel which isn't a violation of Title IX.I know there were specific instances of Anti-Semitism, which were wrong and should be punished, but is there evidence Harvard didn't take action for those?

-----

My concern is that Anti-Zionism is being conflated with Anti-Semitism by the complainants in order to

1. Bolster their case wrongfully by increasing the number of incidents

2. Defend the Israeli government

3. Expand Anti-Semitism to include Anti-Zionism in court decisions making future criticism of Israel dangerous

For example the complaint you linked to opens with

".. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and slaughtered, tortured, raped, burned, and mutilated 1,200 people—including infants, children, and the elderly"

Unnecessary details to the situation because if their claims against Harvard are valid the source of the anti-Semitism is irrelevant (edit: meaning anger at Israel's response to the attack)

This means it was placed at the beginning of the complaint to illicit an emotional reaction/reminder of the horrific event.

Edit: Just to add that if a person is criticizing Israel and a Jewish person feels threatened or avoids campus because of it that's not anti-Semitism.

[uhhhd]

"I know there were specific instances of Anti-Semitism, which were wrong and should be punished, but is there evidence Harvard didn't take action for those?" That is literally the allegation made in the lawsuit. And calling these protests merely "anti-Israel" is intentionally obtuse — it ignores the blatant anti-Jewish bigotry that was plainly on display.

[const_cast]

> And calling these protests merely "anti-Israel" is intentionally obtuse

No actually I think it's right on the money.

Some vaguely brown people being very mad at Israel does not antisemitism make.

Are they denying the Holocaust? Are they saying Jews should die? Or... are they saying Israel is committing a genocide? Are they blaming those particular jews running Israel?

I think we all know it's almost entirely the latter, and almost none of the former.

[Jensson]

> Are they saying Jews should die?

Quite a lot of people are. Just because some don't doesn't mean that others aren't.

[Braxton1980]

>That is literally the allegation made in the lawsuit.

"I'd like to open my case against John Smith for murder your honor. My only piece of evidence that he committed this horrific crime is that he was accused of it. I rest my case"

>And calling these protests merely "anti-Israel" is intentionally obtuse — it ignores the blatant anti-Jewish bigotry that was plainly on display.

By all who were there or just some? Being the protest was open to all how can you lump all protestors together because of the views of some.

>intentionally obtuse

Because I avoided generalizations?

[slater]

Why is it so difficult to understand that one can be against the actions of the current Israeli government, without being a raging anti-semite?

[uhhhd]

References to Israel are not unnecessary details when protestors call for the elimination of the only existing Jewish state. Anti-Zionism isn't criticism of Israel. Its eliminationist rhetoric and plainly bigoted.

[Braxton1980]

>Anti-Zionism isn't criticism of Israel

"opposition to the establishment or support of the state of Israel"

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-Zionism

>Its eliminationist rhetoric and plainly bigoted.

There are some who think Israel shouldn't exist others who think their government is wrong.

If a person thinks all Israelis should be murdered then that's wrong. This is not the whole representation of Anti-Zionism but you are trying to make it

You can only be bigoted against a person or group of people, not a country or government.

[biimugan]

That's fine, but allegations in a law suit aren't prima facie evidence of anything. Especially when the text of that law suit is filled with political invective (calling protesting students and faculty "uncontrolled antisemitic mobs" and so forth).

There's a very easy determination to be made here about which students are or are not being victimized. If my knowledge of current events is still accurate, not a single pro-Israel student has been extra-judicially kidnapped and imprisoned. Pro-Israel Jewish students very well may feel victimized or scared. But put into perspective, I can imagine that pro-Palestinian students feel it much more so.

[pasttense01]

The President of Harvard University is a Jew. Do you really think he is going to allow Harvard to engage in anti-Jewish policies?

[AlecSchueler]

> protested the wholesale bombing of Gaza?

The rhetoric at the top nowadays is that Israel == the Jewish people, and the will of Israel == the needs of the Jews. To criticise their policy is anti-Semitic.