A US federal court on August 13 dismissed a lawsuit by the Donald Trump administration against Harvard University, which accused the prestigious institution of condoning antisemitism during pro-Palestinian rallies on campus.
District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston ruled that the government had not provided sufficient evidence that Harvard had violated provisions of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, and other characteristics.
President Donald Trump launched a campaign against major American universities, accusing them of allowing pro-Palestinian movements to operate freely on their campuses amid Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.
In its complaint, filed in March, the Justice Department stated that “Harvard faculty and leadership turned a blind eye to antisemitism and discrimination against Jews and Israelis.”
The complaint also noted that Harvard “allowed anti-Israel demonstrators to occupy its libraries” and “allowed an anti-Israel camp to exist for twenty days, violating university policy.”
Court decision and judge’s arguments
However, Judge Stearns, who granted Harvard’s motion and dismissed the lawsuit, said that the incidents cited by the Trump administration were “too isolated and episodic” to prove a violation of the Civil Rights Act.
This decision was a blow to Trump’s campaign against the oldest university in the United States.
Separate actions by the Trump administration
The Trump administration separately took steps to freeze billions of dollars in funding for Harvard, accusing the university of condoning antisemitism and liberal biases.
Last September, a federal judge ruled this move largely unlawful and ordered the funding to be restored.
Source: The Straits Times
