​​UC Berkeley settles discrimination case against Israeli professor

(The Center Square) – University of California, Berkeley has settled claims that it discriminated against an Israeli professor by denying her a teaching opportunity because of her national origin.

According to the Louis Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, which represented Dr. Yael Nativ, an Israeli dance researcher and sociologist, she will receive $60,000 in monetary damages and a personal apology from Chancellor Rich Lyons.

UC Berkeley acknowledged the allegations brought by Dr. Nativ, whose application as a visiting professor was rejected back in 2024 by a department chair allegedly because she is Israeli.

After the incident, the university had not taken action until the lawsuit was filed.

Following the settlement, UC Berkeley will also invite her to return to campus.

“I respect and appreciate Dr. Nativ’s decision to settle this case. She is owed the apology I will provide on behalf of our campus. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Nativ back to Berkeley ...