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UC Berkeley Settles Antisemitism Lawsuit, Bars Bylaws Banning 'Zionist' Speakers

The deal responds to complaints about Berkeley Law group rules by aligning campus reviews with federal Title VI guidance.

Overview

  • UC Berkeley said the agreement resolves the Louis D. Brandeis Center’s 2023 lawsuit and includes no admission of wrongdoing.
  • Student groups may still select speakers based on viewpoint, but bylaws may not state categorical bans on Zionist or pro‑Israel speakers, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky told students.
  • Berkeley will continue to consider the IHRA definition when assessing antisemitism complaints and will reference that practice on its harassment‑prevention webpage, according to the university and the Los Angeles Times.
  • The settlement commits the campus to enforce expressive‑activity rules, provide anti‑discrimination and antisemitism training, expand Jewish and Israeli studies, reject boycott and divestment calls, and improve Title VI access.
  • The Los Angeles Times reported the university will pay about $1 million in legal fees as part of the settlement.