NYU denies diploma to student who criticized Israel in commencement speech
3 minute readPublished: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 1:07 am
NYU Denies Diploma to Student Over Pro-Palestinian Commencement Speech
New York University (NYU) is facing criticism after denying a diploma to a graduating student, Logan Rozos, who used his commencement speech to condemn Israel's actions against Palestinians. The university cited Rozos's violation of rules and misuse of his platform for expressing "personal and one-sided political views."
Rozos, chosen by his peers to speak at the Gallatin School graduation, criticized what he described as U.S. complicity in the conflict and the ongoing "genocide" in Palestine. His speech, met with cheers and a standing ovation from some attendees, quickly drew condemnation from pro-Israel groups. They accused NYU of creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students and demanded disciplinary action.
NYU spokesperson John Beckman apologized for the speech, stating Rozos had misrepresented his intended remarks. The university is withholding the diploma while pursuing disciplinary actions. This decision comes amidst heightened tensions on campuses nationwide regarding pro-Palestinian speech. Universities are under pressure to address concerns about antisemitism, particularly with potential funding cuts from the Trump administration, which has equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other groups voiced concerns, arguing that the speech promoted "harmful lies about Israel." However, some faculty members, like NYU professor Andrew Ross, have criticized the university's decision, calling it an example of the administration "falling down on the job."
The incident highlights the complex and often fraught debate surrounding free speech, political expression, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses.
BNN's Perspective: This situation underscores the delicate balance universities must strike between protecting free speech and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students. While the university has a right to enforce its rules, the decision to withhold a diploma raises concerns about the chilling effect on political expression, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's crucial to foster open dialogue and critical thinking, even when dealing with controversial viewpoints.
Keywords: NYU, diploma, Logan Rozos, commencement speech, Israel, Palestine, pro-Palestinian, antisemitism, free speech, Trump administration, John Beckman, Anti-Defamation League, campus protests, political expression, graduation, controversy.