Harvard settles Jewish student's lawsuit over alleged antisemitism
Jonathan Stempel
, Reuters
Harvard University.
Photo:
AFP/Maddie Meyer
Harvard University has settled a high-profile lawsuit by an Orthodox Jewish student who accused the Ivy League school of ignoring antisemitism on campus.
Alexander Kestenbaum, who is known as Shabbos, and Harvard jointly agreed to end the case, according to a dismissal notice filed on Thursday in Boston federal court.
"Harvard and Mr Kestenbaum acknowledge each other's steadfast and important efforts to combat antisemitism at Harvard and elsewhere," the university said in a statement on Thursday. "Harvard and Mr. Kestenbaum are pleased to have resolved the litigation."
Settlement terms were not disclosed. Lawyers for Kestenbaum did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The settlement came four months after Harvard promised additional protections for Jewish students, as it resolved two lawsuits claiming it was a hotbed of rampant antisemitism.
Both lawsuits were among many accusing universities of encouraging antisemitism after war broke out in Gaza in October 2023, leading to pro-Palestinian protests on many American campuses.
Jewish students said Harvard tolerated their being maligned as "murderers" and subjected to viral attacks, and accused the university of hiring professors who promoted anti-Jewish violence and spread antisemitic propaganda.
The lawsuits were brought by Students Against Antisemitism, and by Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.
Kestenbaum was a plaintiff in the Students Against Antisemitism lawsuit, but did not settle at the time.
He graduated from Harvard Divinity School last year, and has become a growing voice in a Republican-led campaign to root out antisemitism in major American universities.
Harvard is one of the chief targets of that campaign, and U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has frozen or terminated more than $2.6 billion of the university's federal grants and contracts in recent weeks.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based school is suing the Trump administration over grant cutoffs, mainly in medical sciences, calling them an unconstitutional attempt to curtail academic freedom and free speech.
Another Ivy League school, Columbia University, is also a prime White House target over antisemitism.
- Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Lies and U-turns from Trump's team over the Epstein files
People hold signs calling for the release of files regarding late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump has blasted his own supporters as "stupid". Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP It is one scandal that US President Donald Trump just can not shake. The Epstein scandal is following him everywhere - even when he went to Scotland to sign an EU trade deal last week, he was asked if he had rushed to get the deal done to knock the Epstein story off the front pages. "You gotta be kidding with that," Trump replied. A few weeks earlier, he responded to another reporter by asking: "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years ... are people still talking about this guy, this creep?" The answer is yes: Six years after his death in a New York jail, the world is still talking about him, and specifically, about Trump's connection to him . Today on The Detail we look at the chaotic, dramatic, ongoing saga of Trump's relationship with Epstein, and the fallout that Trump's waffling on the issue has had on some of his far-right allies. The clamour to release the Epstein files became a MAGA movement obsession, when supporters of Trump became convinced they were full of the names of powerful Democrats, including ex-Presidents. QAnon used the files to push ideas about a deep state cover-up of a network of global paedophiles, and one of the people giving a nod and a wink to those theories was the now head of the FBI Kash Patel. He made his living from spreading rumours such as Epstein actually being murdered by the Clintons, and that there is a cabal of satanic paedophiles within the Democratic party. On the election trail, Trump repeatedly said he would declassify the files. He became US President on 20 January, and within short order, the Epstein files were back in the news cycle. But now it looks like Trump himself is in the files, backed up by evidence in conservative newspapers including the Wall Street Journal. You do not have to look hard to find pictures of the two together. They allegedly had a falling out in the early 2000s and had not spoken for years before Epstein's arrest in 2019. Suddenly, officials have tried to go quiet about Epstein's client list, variously saying it does not exist, or that there is nothing to see in there. But a small army of FBI agents have been diverted from other duties to comb through thousands of pages of documents taken from Epstein's residences, looking for Trump's name, and Patel has now testified that Epstein did in fact die of suicide. There are signs of Trump's supporter base turning on him over the issue, and Trump is not helping calm them down with his attitude towards it. Jay Kuo is a former attorney based in New York who writes a political and legal newsletter called The Status Kuo. He says the more conspiracy-minded of the MAGA base have a lot to chew on, thanks to the Trump team's handling of the issue. "They keep either making sloppy statements, or inconsistent statements, or riling up their base and then yanking the rug back. So it's sort of a roller coaster ride for the MAGA base." Kuo says Trump-appointed officials spent years saying that once they were in power they would expose all these people and bring them down. "That's why it's really interesting that now they find themselves in the position they have to disown a lot of that. It puts them in a very tough spot vis-a-vis their original audiences." Trump's story, he says, keeps changing. "What's interesting is the idea that the MAGA people have never put two and two together that Trump's name appears in the Epstein files, for example on the flight logs, I believe it's eight times." Kuo says many just do not believe it is true, even though it is very clear that he is in there. But he says this has been the longest-lasting scandal involving the president and it is not going away. "In this case though, he's lying to his base. The base that trusted him. He was supposed to bring the storm - that's the QAnon thing - he was going to come in, sweep out government and drain the swamp, and then arrest all these Democrat satanic paedophiles. "It's absurd on its face but a good percentage of the American public actually is QAnon-believing or QAnon-adjacent. Sadly it's around 20 percent. "The danger [Trump] faces is that he runs the risk of having this very, very emotionally charged, sort of imbalanced group of folks coming after him now for having failed them, made false promises to them. And the vitriol online and the outrage is like nothing the GOP (the Republican Party) has ever seen." Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Netanyahu meets security officials as Israel considers full Gaza takeover
By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met senior security officials to finalise a new strategy for the 22-month war in Gaza. Photo: AFP / JACK GUEZ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met senior security officials to finalise a new strategy for the 22-month war in Gaza, his office said, with media reporting he favoured a complete military takeover of the Strip. Despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave, efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have collapsed. Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, while another 79 died in the latest Israeli firing. The prime minister's office said in statement that Netanyahu had held a "limited security discussion" lasting about three hours during which military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir "presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza". An Israeli official had earlier told Reuters that Defence Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to cabinet this week. Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there. It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages . The prime minister's office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report. "It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel," Netanyahu told new recruits at a military base. "We are not giving up on any of these missions." On Saturday (local time), Hamas released a video of Evyatar David, one of 50 hostages still held in Gaza, appearing emaciated in what seemed to be an underground tunnel. The images shocked Israelis and sparked international condemnation. Throughout the war, there has been sustained international pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, of whom Israeli officials estimate 20 are still alive. Most hostages have been released during ceasefires following diplomatic negotiations. Israel broke the last ceasefire. A cloud of smoke erupts following Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip on 5 August, 2025. Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP A Palestinian official said the suggestion of a full takeover of Gaza may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, while the Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged foreign nations to take heed of the reports. "The ministry urges countries and the international community to treat these leaks with utmost seriousness and to intervene urgently to prevent their implementation, whether these leaks are meant to exert pressure, test international reactions, or are genuine and serious," it said. Israel's coalition government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in its history, includes far-right politicians who advocate the annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland. Nearly two years of fighting in Gaza has strained the military, which has a small standing army and has had to repeatedly mobilise reservists. It has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel fully occupying Gaza. In a sign of differences between some members of Israel's ruling coalition and the military, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on X challenged military head Zamir to state he would comply with government directives even if a decision was made to take all of Gaza. The statement from Netanyahu's office said the Israeli Defence Forces were "prepared to implement any decision that will be made by the Political-Security Cabinet". The war was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023, killing around 1200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. Israel's military response has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 61,000 people - mostly civilians - according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel's campaign has forced nearly all of Gaza's more than 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine . Some 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began, according to Gaza authorities. An Israeli security official, in a briefing to reporters, acknowledged there may be hunger in some parts of Gaza but rejected reports of famine or starvation. On Tuesday, Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive. Palestinians living in the last quarter of territory where Israel has not yet taken military control - via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave - said any new push would be catastrophic. "If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population," said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant. - Reuters
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Israeli cabinet may order complete Gaza takeover
By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters A cloud of smoke erupts following Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip on 5 August, 2025. Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP Israel's cabinet could authorise a complete military takeover of Gaza for the first time in two decades, media reported, despite international pressure for a ceasefire to ease appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning towards an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave after 22 months of war against militant group Hamas, Israeli Channel 12 reported. A senior Israeli source told Reuters on Monday (local time) that more force was an option following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas . Seizing the entire territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel to pull settlers and military out of Gaza while retaining control over its borders - a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there. It was unclear, however, whether a potential full takeover of Gaza would entail a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages. Israel's coalition government is regarded as one of the most right-wing in its history, with the cabinet including parties that seek to annex both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland. The country's military has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel trying to fully occupy Gaza and establish military rule there, which would require it to take over long-term governance. The military has also struggled with manpower issues as the war has dragged on, with reservists being repeatedly called up and putting a strain on capabilities. The conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on 7 October, 2023, when gunmen stormed the border from Gaza, killing more than 1200 people and seizing around 250 hostages according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 60,000 people according to Palestinian health authorities. It has forced nearly all of Gaza's over 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine . That has caused widespread international anger and prompted several European countries to say they would recognise a Palestinian state next month if there was no ceasefire. Inside Gaza on Tuesday, Israeli gunfire and strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians, local health authorities said, including five people in a tent in Khan Younis and three aid seekers near Rafah in the south. Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza earlier on Tuesday but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive. Palestinians living in the last fifth of the territory where Israel has not yet taken military control via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave said any new move to occupy the area would be catastrophic. "If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population," said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant, who asked not to be named in full. A Palestinian official close to the talks and mediation said Israeli threats could be a way to pressure Hamas to make concessions at the negotiation table. "It will only complicate the negotiation further, at the end, the resistance factions will not accept less than an end to the war, and a full withdrawal from Gaza," he told Reuters, asking not to be named. Israel said it would allow merchants to import goods. A source in Gaza told Reuters some trucks had already entered carrying chocolates and biscuits for a merchant. It is hoped that essential items such as children's milk, fresh meat and fruits, sugar, and rice could be allowed in, which would alleviate scarcity and drive down prices of what is available in the markets. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said last week he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza. But Israeli officials have also floated ideas including expanding the offensive and annexing parts of Gaza. The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to clinch agreements on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce, during which aid would be flown into Gaza and half of the hostages Hamas is holding would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel. The Israeli military was expected on Tuesday to present alternatives that include extending into areas of Gaza where it has not yet operated, according to two defence officials. - Reuters Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
