The New York University administration refused to award a diploma to Logan Rozos, a Gallatin School student, because in his graduation speech he condemned Israel’s attacks on the Palestinians and “the complicity” of the United States for its “political and military support for this genocide.”
“I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide.”
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
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) May 15, 2025
In an official statement, NYU spokesperson John Beckman apologized for the speech and condemned “the choice by a student to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.” Beckman further stated that the 24-year-old Rozos “lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.”
Rozos gave his speech last Wednesday, which was Commencement day for students at the Gallatin School and about 20 other NYU schools. “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 for the past 18 months,” he said to his peers in the crowd at the Beacon Theater, later adding that he “condemn[s] this genocide, and complicity in this genocide.” According to the Associated Press, Rozos majored in Cultural Criticism and Political Economy, and was a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe.
The ceremony had been broadcast live by NYU, but the recording was withdrawn from official channels. In the face of some clips circulated on social media, several pro-Israel groups had begun to pressure the university administration to take action.
“No student—especially Jewish students—should have to sit through politicized rhetoric that promotes harmful lies about Israel during such a personal milestone,” the Anti-Defamation League said.
Last year, hundreds of NYU students were arrested, then singled out by their school and forced into remedial classes by the university administration for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Recently, the university’s name appeared on the list submitted to the State Department to impose stricter controls on anti-Semitism, or else risk cuts in federal funding.
