Injunction Prevents UCLA from Aiding Anti-Semitic Groups Targeting Jews

In a groundbreaking decision, a federal district court has issued an injunction against UCLA, preventing the university from aiding anti-Semitic agitators who have been targeting Jewish students on campus. This injunction, the first of its kind, marks a significant victory in the fight against rising anti-Semitism in American universities.

The lawsuit, brought by Yitzchok Frankel, Joshua Ghayoum, and Eden Shemuelian, accused UCLA of facilitating an environment where anti-Israel activists were allowed to establish "Jew Exclusion Zones." These zones effectively barred Jewish students from accessing key areas of the campus, including classroom buildings and the main undergraduate library.

According to UCLA Professor Eugene Volokh, who wrote about the case in Reason, the activists, with the tacit approval of university officials, created physical barriers and enforced them by locking arms to prevent Jewish students from entering. To gain entry, students were reportedly forced to pledge allegiance to the activists' views and have someone from within the encampment vouch for their loyalty.

Key Points from the Court's Ruling:

• U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi condemned UCLA’s actions, stating that Jewish students were excluded from parts of the campus because they refused to denounce their faith—a violation of their constitutional rights.

• Judge Scarsi emphasized that the university's responsibility to protect religious freedom is paramount, regardless of whether the exclusion was orchestrated by third-party protesters. He noted that UCLA continued to offer programs and activities to other students, knowing that Jewish students were being excluded based on their religious beliefs.

• The court’s injunction, set to take effect on August 15, will force UCLA to stop supporting or facilitating any activities that segregate or discriminate against Jewish students.

This legal battle sheds light on a troubling trend in higher education, where universities are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for ideological conflicts that marginalize certain groups. The ruling is a clear message that universities must uphold the constitutional rights of all students, regardless of external pressures or protests.

UCLA is expected to appeal the ruling, but for now, the court’s decision stands as a critical defense of religious freedom on campus.

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