Brandeis Center's complaint alleged that three Harvard Kennedy School students were discriminated against on the basis of their Israeli identities during a Spring 2023 course. Whe

Harvard University has settled two lawsuits accusing the Ivy League school of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic bullying and harassment on campus.

Critics say the definition Harvard adopted conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism and could chill pro-Palestinian speech.

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.

The lawsuits came after Harvard faced fierce criticism over its handling of anti-Israel protests that erupted on campus amid the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish students alleged they were bullied, spat on, intimidated, threatened and subjected to verbal and physical harassment.

Several other schools have recently settled similar lawsuits, and suits are pending against others, including the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University.

Harvard University settled legal claims alleging the Ivy League school didn’t do enough to protect Jewish students against a wave of antisemitism on campus. As part of the settlements announced Tuesday,

We now have a Harvard standard that other colleges will strive to meet,’ a leading authority on antisemitism and civil rights in higher education

Harvard University has settled two lawsuits with Jewish groups accusing the school of fostering an antisemitic environment in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, as President Donald Trump retakes office with a promise to more heavily police universities for such cases.

A Harvard spokesperson said in the release that the school is committed to "ensuring our Jewish community is embraced, respected and can thrive."