A federal lawsuit accusing Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of enabling antisemitism following the October 7 attacks in Israel has been thrown out, while a similar lawsuit against Harvard University has been allowed to proceed. The MIT lawsuit alleged that the university endorsed antisemitic activities on campus and turned a blind eye to discrimination and harassment against Jewish students and faculty. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns dismissed the MIT lawsuit on July 30, noting MIT’s efforts to address on-campus protests that posed a potential threat to Jewish students.
Stearns observed that MIT took steps to manage escalating protests on campus that targeted Jewish and Israeli students. In contrast, in a ruling on August 6, the judge allowed parts of the lawsuit against Harvard to move forward, criticizing Harvard’s response to antisemitic incidents as indecisive, vacillating, and at times internally contradictory.
Following the Israel-Hamas conflict, tensions on campuses across the United States flared up, reigniting debates on free speech and appropriate responses to political speech that may cross into harassment and discrimination. Both Arab and Jewish students have voiced concerns about the lack of protection provided by schools. Some feel universities have been too harsh on pro-Palestinian protesters, while others believe they have been too lenient on encampments that appeared on campuses.
MIT reacted to the ruling in their case by stating, “We appreciate that the Court carefully assessed the allegations and dismissed plaintiffs’ claims.” The StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice, which brought the lawsuit against MIT, expressed disappointment and reiterated its commitment to holding accountable those who perpetuate or show indifference to antisemitism on campuses.
Students Against Antisemitism, Inc., accuses Harvard of violating Jewish students’ civil rights by allowing them to be harassed, assaulted, and intimidated, behavior that intensified after the October 7 attack. Judge Richard Stearns dismissed allegations of direct discrimination by Harvard but acknowledged the university’s acknowledgment of an uptick in antisemitism on campus. The plaintiffs intend to pursue further legal action to protect Harvard’s Jewish students by uncovering the full extent of the university’s failures.
Harvard responded by stating that they will take concrete steps to address the root causes of antisemitism on campus and safeguard Jewish and Israeli students from harassment and discrimination. The university expressed confidence that once all the facts are revealed, it will be evident that Harvard has acted fairly and with deep concern for supporting its Jewish and Israeli students.
