‘Zionist Jews are welcome’ declares US liberal arts college while settling antisemitism lawsuit

The plaintiffs had alleged that professors had used antizionism as a ‘cover for hating Jews’

By Aaron Bandler, Jerusalem News Syndicate

Haverford College confirmed on Friday that it had settled a lawsuit with the Deborah Project that accused the prestigious liberal arts school in Pennsylvania of fomenting a hostile environment for Jews on campus.

The Deborah Project filed the suit on behalf of five Jewish students and the group Jews for Haverford in May 2024, with the latter including professors, parents, alumni and students.

Wendy Raymond, outgoing college president, stated in an email to the university community on Friday that, as part of the settlement, the college is making clear that all students, including Jews, Israelis and Zionists, are “welcome” on campus and can “enjoy equal access to the college and all of its educational programmes and activities”.

She added in the email, which was seen by JNS, that the college agreed to clarify that “harassing, excluding or seeking to silence Jewish community members on the basis of their beliefs, their commitment to Jewish observance or any other element of their Jewish identity, including Zionism, is anathema to the college’s core principles of trust, concern and respect”.

“This extends to our classrooms, offices and student-led organisations and activities, and it includes all employees – faculty, staff and administrators – and students,” Raymond stated.

Lori Lowenthal Marcus, legal director of the Deborah Project, told JNS that for Raymond to state in writing that Zionists are welcome on campus is an “amazing change” that she is “thrilled” will be part of the college’s policies.

“We’re really happy that the president of the college is now committed to this position and the entire college, the leadership, is behind it,” she said.