The New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of a graduating student after he criticised Israel and the USA’s support for its military operations in Gaza in his commencement speech. Logan Rozos was chosen by his fellow students to deliver the speech, which he used to condemn the “genocide” in Gaza.
“I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide.”
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) May 15, 2025
NYU student Logan Rozos denounced Israel’s genocide in Gaza during his graduation speech to roaring applause. In retaliation, NYU has withheld his diploma and is threatening further disciplinary action. pic.twitter.com/VzjRoOAq2k
Logan Rozos said in his speech, “The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been livestreamed to our phones for the past 18 months.”
NYU spokesperson John Beckman has defended the University’s decision to withhold his diploma. According to Beckman, Rozos “lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.”
Beckman further said in his statement, “NYU is deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.”
Rozos’s graduation speech has sparked intense discussions on social media, with people both in favour and against it. Supporters of Palestine view it as a demonstration of great courage in spite of the threat of real life consequences. Pro-Israel groups see it as further confirmation of the wave of antisemitism that has gripped western educational institutions.
Interestingly, US President Donald Trump has himself admitted that ‘terrible things’ are happening in Gaza. During his Middle East Tour, Trump acknowledged that a “lot of people are starving” in Gaza.
Donald Trump is continuing to instigate Israel over Gaza.
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) May 16, 2025
"A lot of people are starving… There are a lot of bad things going on." pic.twitter.com/3I21SDHs55
Donald Trump has cultivated a distance from Israel in recent days, causing significant consternation in Tel Aviv. In an obvious snub, the Trump Administration negotiated with Hamas directly for the release of an American hostage. Israel was not informed of it by the White House but discovered it through their own intelligence agencies.
