Jewish Student Sues New School Over Alleged Antisemitic Harassment Amid October 7 Anniversary

What Happened

On October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, a former Jewish student, Sophie Shabot, filed a federal lawsuit against The New School in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Shabot, an American and Israeli citizen who attended Parsons School of Design, alleges the university failed to protect her from a series of antisemitic incidents, including physical assaults, harassment, vandalism, and exclusion from campus spaces. The lawsuit was filed by The Lawfare Project, a legal organization, alongside co-counsel Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP. Concurrently, memorials and protests were held across Israel at over 400 sites, including the Nova Music Festival location, commemorating the 1,200 killed and 251 abducted in the 2023 attack. Hamas and its ally Hezbollah also marked the anniversary, celebrating the October 7 attack as a “historic and honorable milestone” and a “courageous, distinctive, justified, and legitimate” operation, respectively.

The lawsuit details multiple incidents beginning in December 2023, where Shabot claims she was blocked from campus buildings, shoved, spat on, and verbally abused by protesters. In March 2024, she alleges protesters vandalized and occupied a Hillel event space, trapping Jewish students in a dean’s office. A New School professor reportedly shoved a student guarding the door, and the university subsequently shut down the event. Shabot was pursued off campus by protesters who called her a “baby killer” and “Zio cunt.” Further incidents in April 2024 included a crowd surrounding Shabot and friends for speaking Hebrew, driving them from a building while a security guard remained silent, and the vandalism of her workspace. In fall 2024, a bottle was allegedly thrown at her head. Shabot repeatedly reported these incidents to various university officials, including the Office of the President, often providing photographs and video, but received minimal response, with two administrators suggesting she seek therapy.

What the Evidence Establishes

The federal lawsuit filed by Sophie Shabot on October 7, 2026, explicitly details claims of antisemitic harassment and institutional inaction at The New School. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, cites specific dates and events, including an incident in December 2023 where Shabot was allegedly shoved and spat on by protesters blocking a university entrance. Another documented event in March 2024 involved protesters disrupting a Hillel event, leading to Jewish students being confined and a professor reportedly physically assaulting a student. The lawsuit also records verbal abuse, such as protesters calling Shabot a “baby killer” and “Zio cunt” as she left campus. These allegations are supported by Shabot’s repeated reports to university administration, including professors, campus security, and the Office of the President, often accompanied by photographic and video evidence.

The Lawfare Project, representing Shabot, asserts that the university’s administration, including its then-president, accommodated protesters by providing funds for dinner, publicly praising them, and posing for photographs with individuals accused of harassment. The lawsuit claims the university offered alternative entrances to Jewish students instead of removing those blocking access. These actions, or inactions, form the basis of claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, New York State and City Human Rights Laws, and breach of contract. Separately, on the same date, the Department of Education announced that 2023–24 CRDC data indicates Jewish students are the most frequently targeted for religion-based bullying, reinforcing the broader context of Shabot’s claims. In Israel, the three-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks was marked by over 400 memorial events, including a national moment of silence at 6:29 p.m., and protests demanding a government inquiry, as reported by Ynet News and CNN.

Where the Accounts Conflict

Significant conflicts in accounts emerge regarding the October 7, 2023, events and their aftermath. Hamas and its ally Hezbollah explicitly celebrated the attack as a “historic and honorable milestone” and a “courageous, distinctive, justified, and legitimate” operation. Hamas described it as an “extraordinary military achievement in planning, execution, and strategic deception,” while Hezbollah claimed it had a profound “political impact” globally, leading to pro-Palestinian “uprisings” and a loss of favor for Israel and its allies. This narrative frames the attack as a successful act of “resistance” and a strategic victory against an “occupation” with “Nazi tendencies,” aiming for a “free, independent Palestinian state.” They also demanded the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice prosecute Israeli officials for “war crimes” and “genocide.”

Conversely, Israeli accounts, including those from parliamentarian Simcha Rothman and civil society organizations like the October Council and Kumu Movement, unequivocally condemn the October 7 events as a “massacre” and “atrocity.” Rothman, chair of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, emphasized the need for speedy trials for the 300 Palestinian suspects in custody, highlighting the Israeli public’s demand for justice and the importance of correcting propaganda. Einav Zangauker, mother of a freed hostage, described the events as “hell” and criticized the state’s failure to protect its citizens. These Israeli narratives focus on the immense human cost, the need for accountability, and the defense against what they term “terrorist” actions. The New School’s perspective on the alleged antisemitic incidents is not detailed in the provided sources, creating a conflict between Shabot’s claims of institutional failure and any potential defense or explanation the university might offer regarding its actions or inactions.

Context and Stakes

The lawsuit filed by Sophie Shabot against The New School unfolds within a broader context of heightened tensions and legal challenges concerning antisemitism on college campuses following the October 7, 2023, attacks. The Lawfare Project, which has a track record of similar legal actions, frames this lawsuit as a response to a “tidal wave of Jew-hatred on college campuses” and an alleged “shameful abdication of responsibility” by universities. The Department of Education’s recent data, indicating Jewish students are the most targeted for religion-based bullying, underscores the systemic nature of the issue. The stakes for The New School are substantial, including potential compensatory and punitive damages, statutory penalties, and attorneys’ fees, alongside significant reputational damage and the potential for mandated policy changes regarding student safety and discrimination.

Globally, the third anniversary of October 7, 2023, highlights deep geopolitical divisions. While Hamas and Hezbollah celebrate the attack as a strategic success for Palestinian “resistance,” Israel and its allies mourn the victims and demand accountability. The ongoing conflict continues to fuel protests and counter-protests, particularly in Western cities and universities, creating a volatile environment. In Israel, the anniversary occurs less than a month before national elections, amidst an economic downturn and public demands for a state commission inquiry into the October 7 failures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that “4,000 of the 6,000” militants behind the attack have been killed, with a commitment to “reach all of them,” signals continued military action. The legal and political ramifications of these events extend from individual campuses to international courts, shaping narratives and policies for years to come.

What to Watch Next

Several key developments are anticipated following the filing of Sophie Shabot’s lawsuit and the October 7 anniversary. The New School is expected to issue a formal response to the federal lawsuit, likely denying the allegations or outlining its defense, which will be critical in shaping the initial legal proceedings. The Lawfare Project has indicated its intent to continue advocating for Jewish students’ rights, suggesting further legal actions or public statements may follow. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York will proceed with the initial phases of the lawsuit, including discovery and potential motions to dismiss, which will clarify the legal trajectory of Shabot’s claims under Title VI and other state laws.

In Israel, the political landscape will be closely watched as national elections approach in less than a month. The Kumu Movement and the October Council continue to demand a state commission inquiry into the October 7 attacks, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to this pressure, especially in the pre-election period, will be significant. Parliamentarian Simcha Rothman’s hope for the first indictments of Palestinian suspects early next year indicates that the special military tribunal will be working to clear up details regarding staffing and venues. The progress of these trials, intended to provide justice and counter propaganda, will be a major focus. International bodies like the ICC and ICJ may also face renewed pressure from Hamas and its allies to investigate Israeli officials, adding another layer of complexity to the global response to the conflict.

Bottom Line

The third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel has been marked by starkly contrasting global reactions, ranging from celebrations by Hamas and Hezbollah to solemn memorials and protests across Israel. This period also saw the filing of a federal lawsuit against The New School by former student Sophie Shabot, alleging the university failed to protect her from antisemitic harassment and physical assaults on campus. The lawsuit, brought by The Lawfare Project, details multiple incidents of alleged discrimination and institutional inaction, seeking compensatory and punitive damages under various civil rights laws.

The legal challenge against The New School highlights broader concerns about antisemitism in educational institutions, a trend corroborated by recent Department of Education data. Simultaneously, Israel continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 2023 attack, with ongoing demands for a state inquiry and the anticipation of indictments for hundreds of suspects. These events underscore the persistent geopolitical tensions and the complex legal and social challenges arising from the conflict, impacting individuals, institutions, and international relations.