Yoav Segev has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University and its police department, alleging that they failed to protect him during a demonstration where he was targeted due to his Jewish identity and Israeli nationality.
Segev claims that the police department’s inaction infringed upon his constitutional rights to equal protection.
In the aftermath of a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Segev’s lawyers stated that antisemitism surged at Harvard, resulting in his attack merely for being Jewish.
The lawsuit follows the university police’s successful prosecution of two graduate students involved in the incident, which culminated in charges pressed by the Suffolk district attorney’s office.
In April, these charges were resolved outside the criminal justice system by a judge.
Segev’s confrontation with demonstrators occurred as he filmed a “die-in” protest during his first year at Harvard Business School.
According to court filings, pro-Palestinian protesters encircled Segev, covered his head with keffiyeh scarves, jostled him, and shouted derogatory remarks.
Details emerged that one of the students, Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, grabbed Segev’s backpack, while another student, Ibrahim Bharmal, blocked his path as the crowd rallied against him.
Videos from this encounter quickly spread across social media, igniting discussions about the protests that erupted following the Hamas attack.
Republican lawmakers, including former Senator Mitt Romney, expressed concern regarding Harvard’s handling of the situation, highlighting perceived failures in university leadership.
Reps. Virginia Foxx and Elise Stefanik also criticized Harvard, claiming the university obstructed the investigation by the Suffolk district attorney’s office, allegations that Harvard denied.
Initially, Tettey-Tamaklo and Bharmal faced charges for civil rights violations and assault and battery, but a judge dismissed the civil rights counts.
Later, it was agreed that both students would fulfill conditions including community service and conflict resolution training instead of facing criminal prosecution.
In their defense, lawyers for Tettey-Tamaklo and Bharmal argued that their actions were attempts to protect fellow students from being doxxed.
They contended that no physical injuries were inflicted during the confrontation and expressed a willingness to mediate the dispute, though their offer was declined by Segev.
Segev’s lawsuit indicates that the university has sent a troubling message, suggesting that antisemitism is not only tolerated but commendable on campus.
He cited positive recognitions received by Bharmal and Tettey-Tamaklo in his complaint, such as Bharmal’s fellowship with The Harvard Law Review and Tettey-Tamaklo’s role as a graduation class marshal.
These developments followed a significant moment within the greater context of the Israel-Hamas war, which has since triggered multiple lawsuits and intensified scrutiny on Harvard over allegations of antisemitism on campus.
The controversy has also pressured Claudine Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, leading to her resignation in January 2024, just a few months after she took office.
In response to the situation, Harvard released assessments on antisemitism, finding that support for students was inadequate during the academic year 2023-2024.
The Trump administration threatened to withdraw federal funding and seek to revoke Harvard’s accreditation, citing the university’s failure to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli students.
So far, this scrutiny has led to the cancellation of nearly $3 billion in funding, primarily affecting federal research grants.
This legal turbulence has resulted in some institutional changes, including Harvard’s adoption of a controversial definition of antisemitism as part of settlements reached with other lawsuits from Jewish students and advocacy groups.
Segev himself was one of five plaintiffs in one of those lawsuits but chose not to partake in the settlement arrangements.
Earlier in the year, Segev sought to join another federal lawsuit under a pseudonym but claimed that the university’s actions led to the disclosure of his identity, increasing his fear of retaliation and harassment.
His request to remain anonymous was ultimately denied by a judge overseeing the case.
The outcome of those lawsuits, including a recent settlement for former Harvard student Shabbos Kestenbaum, remains an ongoing topic, with terms that were undisclosed.
As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for campus discourse and safety at Harvard are under scrutiny, as both current and alumni students look for resolution and justice amid rising tensions.
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