The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against UCLA, alleging the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students during a 2024 protest. The suit claims that agitators attacked students with violence, including beatings and pepper spray. Human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein discusses how antisemitism is being politicized in this context.

Separately, a principal at a Massachusetts middle school has come under fire for apologizing to students who felt marginalized during a Holocaust education lesson. An email from Diamond Middle School Principal Dr. Johnny Cole intended to highlight the importance of recognizing and speaking against hate. However, it led to complaints from families who claimed the lesson left students feeling “unseen.”

“Some of you felt like your own history, your identity, or your community was left out or erased,” wrote Cole. “Some of you left that session feeling less safe, not more. We have heard this from families, and we believe you. We are sorry,” he continued.

Cole’s email emphasized that hard discussions are essential growing experiences at Diamond. He expressed regret that the lesson did not make every student feel valued, mentioning various student groups affected. Cole pledged to work with teachers and families to create a program inclusive of all communities and their histories, involving students in this process.

Critics condemned Cole’s apology, arguing Holocaust education should not be made comfortable. StopAntisemitism, an advocacy group, criticized the trend of distorting historical facts for ideological purposes, stating that school leaders have a duty to uphold factual history.

Fox News analyst Guy Benson and Israeli activist Hen Mazzig also critiqued the apology, asserting that education about the Holocaust and Nazi genocide doesn’t require such apologies. Mazzig asserts education should not cater to individual feelings.

The incident is part of a broader controversy involving Dr. Cole, who allegedly asked a student to remove a sweatshirt with the slogan, “Save the bees. Plant more trees. Clean the seas. Punch Nazis.” This student, Teagan Murtagh, shared their experience in The Lexington Observer and continued to wear apparel with messages of resistance.

Murtagh, a great-grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, expressed admiration for their great-grandmother’s resilience and commitment to preventing history from repeating itself.