NYU withholds diploma over Gaza war speech

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, May 16th, 2025

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New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of undergraduate Logan Rozos after he used his graduation speech to condemn US support for what he described as “genocide” in Gaza. The speech, delivered during the commencement ceremony, sparked mixed reactions from the audience, with some cheering and others expressing disapproval.
An NYU spokesperson stated that Rozos misrepresented his intended speech content to express “one-sided political views” without prior notice. The university criticized his remarks, labeling them an abuse of privilege granted for the occasion. NYU spokesperson John Beckman announced that Rozos’ diploma would be withheld pending disciplinary review.
During his two-and-a-half-minute address, Rozos declared that “the genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars, and has been live-streamed to our phones.” His remarks did not specifically mention Israel or Jewish communities, focusing instead on broader criticisms of US foreign policy.
NYU expressed regret over the incident, stating that Rozos “stole a moment meant to celebrate student achievements” to advance personal political views. The university emphasized its commitment to free speech but underscored the importance of respecting the platform given during official events.
The situation has reignited debates over free speech and pro-Palestinian advocacy on US campuses, a topic already under scrutiny by federal authorities. NYU is currently among several universities being investigated for alleged incidents of antisemitism linked to campus activism.
The incident is expected to fuel ongoing discussions around academic freedom, political expression, and the role of universities in moderating public discourse.