Identity of Speakers
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Dr. Yael Nativ
Faculty/Staff
OtherIsraeli dance scholar,
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Lawsuit
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
University administration changed university policy as a consequence
Litigation
Title IX or other federal statute
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Incident Status:
In litigation State Court
Settled
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
Dr. Yael Nativ, an Israeli dance scholar, was not rehired as a visiting professor at UC Berkeley despite strong student attendance and positive evaluations of her dance class in 2022. Nativ alleged that the university’s decision not to reappoint her was influenced by her Jewish identity and support for Israel. She reported facing a hostile work environment, including professional obstacles and criticism linked to her identity and political views amid campus protests following the 2023 Gaza conflict. According to reports, Nativ said she was “denied reappointment for reasons tied to my Jewish identity and political beliefs,” and that the climate on campus “discouraged faculty like me from participating freely in academic life.”
On August 19, 2025, Nativ filed a federal lawsuit against the UC Regents, alleging employment discrimination and retaliation. Her complaint stated that the university had failed to act on prior findings confirming she had experienced discrimination. The lawsuit described instances in which her applications and professional opportunities were blocked, and detailed a campus climate in which she faced hostility connected to her Jewish identity and support for Israel. The suit also asserted violations of her First Amendment rights, claiming that her academic and professional freedoms were restricted. The legal action came at a time when federal authorities had emphasized combating antisemitism on college campuses, highlighting tensions between university autonomy and federal oversight of discrimination complaints.
In December 2025, UC Berkeley reached a settlement with Nativ. The agreement included a $60,000 payment, a formal apology from the university, and an invitation for Nativ to teach her class in a future semester of her choosing. In a statement, the university said it “regrets the circumstances that led Dr. Nativ to file this complaint” and expressed a commitment to “ensuring equitable treatment for all faculty and protecting academic freedom.” The settlement resolved Nativ’s claims of discrimination and antisemitism, reflecting the university’s acknowledgment of the challenges she faced amid campus activism surrounding the Gaza conflict.
