Labour9/24/2026

UC Berkeley to Offer Israeli Scholar a Job Following Discrimination

The University of California, Berkeley will offer a teaching position to Israeli dance scholar Dr. Yael Nativ. This was stipulated in a settlement agreement after the administration of President Donald Trump determined that she had been discriminated against on the basis of her national origin.

Key facts

•Parties: Dr. Yael Nativ and the University of California, Berkeley
•Cause of the dispute: Refusal to rehire her after October 7
•Determined basis of discrimination: National identity
•Outcome: Settlement agreement and an offer of a teaching position
•The case number, date, and amounts are not specified in the source

Why the Scholar Was Not Rehired

Dr. Yael Nativ, chair of the Israeli Choreographers Association, worked at the university as a visiting lecturer. After October 7, the head of the dance department informed her that the university would not rehire her: Nativ's presence could allegedly provoke dissatisfaction among students and place the department in a “problematic” position.

The Lawsuit and Settlement Agreement

Following the refusal, Nativ filed a lawsuit against the university. According to the source, as part of the settlement agreement, Berkeley acknowledged its actions, agreed to apologize to the scholar, invite her back to campus, and offer her a teaching position.

The Basis for the Finding of Discrimination

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump determined that Nativ had been discriminated against because of her national identity. The source does not specify the case number, the date of the agreement, its legal basis, or details of any financial compensation.

What this means for you

The agreement shows that an employment decision made because of others’ anticipated reaction to an employee’s national identity may serve as a basis for discrimination proceedings. For Israelis working or teaching abroad, this case highlights the practical importance of documenting the reasons for a refusal to hire or extend a contract.

Find a lawyer for this topic

Case analysis based on court rulings