A New York judge has rebuked Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art for its alleged inaction in the face of rising antisemitism on campus. The judge rejected the university's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Jewish students following an incident in October 2023 where they were forced to seek refuge in the library during an anti-Israel demonstration.

Judge John Cronan criticized Cooper Union's response, emphasizing the institution's responsibility to protect its Jewish students from harassment. He stated that students should not have to "hide themselves away" or flee from spaces they have a right to occupy. Cronan deemed the alleged conduct experienced by the Jewish students in the library as "physically threatening or humiliating" and "objectively severe," clearly exceeding the boundaries of free speech.

An anti-Israel protest at Cooper Union in October 2023, where Jewish students sought safety in the library. (Credit: Taylor Roslyn Lent)

The judge expressed concern over Cooper Union's purported suggestion that students should have hidden or left the building, and he questioned whether simply locking the library doors fulfilled the university's obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in federally funded programs. Cronan also highlighted New York state laws offering similar, if not stronger, protections against discriminatory harassment in education.

In response, a Cooper Union spokesperson stated that the university is committed to providing a welcoming and safe learning environment for all students, claiming that reports on social media and in the news have misrepresented the situation and the university's dedication to its students. The spokesperson asserted that Cooper Union never suggested students hide and that the library doors were not locked. Instead, they claim the university offered students support, including safe exit options.

Harvard University, which faced lawsuits alleging a pervasive antisemitic environment. (Getty)

This incident is part of a larger trend of lawsuits against universities over anti-Israel protests following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Harvard University settled two such lawsuits in January 2024, while New York University settled a similar lawsuit in July 2024.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 aimed at combating antisemitism. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)

Last week, President Trump issued an executive order reinforcing the United States' policy to vigorously combat antisemitism using all available legal means to hold perpetrators of antisemitic harassment and violence accountable.