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Many universities have been reluctant to embrace a definition that, among other things, considers some criticisms of Israel as antisemitic. The university’s decision was part of a lawsuit settlement.
Jan. 21, 2025, 8:12 p.m. ET
Harvard University will adopt a definition of antisemitism when investigating discipline cases as part of several moves meant to protect Jewish students after Gaza war protests, the university said in an agreement on Tuesday.
The definition includes some criticisms of Israel as examples of antisemitism, including calling Israel’s existence a “racist endeavor.”
It was part of a settlement in two lawsuits filed by Jewish groups that accused the school of not doing enough to prevent and punish antisemitism on campus. Last year, a federal judge in Boston allowed the cases to go forward.
The move by Harvard was unusual. Many universities have shied away from adopting any definition of antisemitism, even as pressure on them to do so has increased in response to campus conflicts related to the war in Gaza.
The definition Harvard is using has been criticized as blurring the line between antisemitism and arguments against Israel and Zionism.
Kenneth Marcus, chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, a Jewish civil rights group, said that he hoped other universities would adopt the definition.
