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Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
A New York University (NYU) student who slammed Israel's war in Gaza during a graduation speech has had his diploma suspended. Logan Rozos drew a sharp rebuke from the university after repeatedly referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide" that was being perpetuated with the support of the United States. "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," said Rozo, a graduating student from the Gallatin School liberal art program. Rozos' comments drew a loud reaction from the crowd, including applause along with a standing ovation for those who supported him, while others expressed their disapproval. Columbia University Punishes Students Who Took Over Building During Anti-israel Protests As the video spread online, pro-Israel groups demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against Rozo. Read On The Fox News App NYU spokesperson John Beckman condemned the speech and said that NYU was "deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks." Beckman said Rozos deviated from approved remarks and the university is now withholding Rozos' diploma while it pursues disciplinary actions. "He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules," Beckman said in a statement Wednesday. "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, a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the program's address. Rozos is described as having a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about the situation in Palestine. Mood Flips At Columbia U After Quashing Of Latest Protest, Trump Pressure Takes Hold "My moral and political commitment guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time and to a group this large is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine," Rozos said. "I do not wish to speak only to my own politics today, but to speak for all people of conscience, and all people who feel the moral injury of this atrocity." Pro-Jewish groups sharply criticized Rozos' remarks and praised NYU for acting quickly on the matter. "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 in a statement. We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action. Rozos majored in cultural criticism and political economy, according to an archived version of Gallatin's website. Rozos' profile is no longer available on the website. The documentary non-profit Fireflight Media describes Rozos in a profile page as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man" whose debut in acting was in the Peabody-nominated television drama David Makes Man in 2019. The war on Gaza sparked a wave of student protests on college campuses last year, including at NYU where demonstrations turned violent, with dozens of arrests being made. NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by the Trump administration's antisemitism taskforce. The task force is examining how universities have handled alleged antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
Fox News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
A New York University (NYU) student who slammed Israel's war in Gaza during a graduation speech has had his diploma suspended. Logan Rozos drew a sharp rebuke from the university after repeatedly referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide" that was being perpetuated with the support of the United States. "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," said Rozo, a graduating student from the Gallatin School liberal art program. Rozos' comments drew a loud reaction from the crowd, including applause along with a standing ovation for those who supported him, while others expressed their disapproval. As the video spread online, pro-Israel groups demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against Rozo. NYU spokesperson John Beckman condemned the speech and said that NYU was "deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks." Beckman said Rozos deviated from approved remarks and the university is now withholding Rozos' diploma while it pursues disciplinary actions. "He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules," Beckman said in a statement Wednesday. "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, a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the program's address. Rozos is described as having a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about the situation in Palestine. "My moral and political commitment guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time and to a group this large is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine," Rozos said. "I do not wish to speak only to my own politics today, but to speak for all people of conscience, and all people who feel the moral injury of this atrocity." Pro-Jewish groups sharply criticized Rozos' remarks and praised NYU for acting quickly on the matter. "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 in a statement. We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action. Rozos majored in cultural criticism and political economy, according to an archived version of Gallatin's website. Rozos' profile is no longer available on the website. The documentary non-profit Fireflight Media describes Rozos in a profile page as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man" whose debut in acting was in the Peabody-nominated television drama David Makes Man in 2019. The war on Gaza sparked a wave of student protests on college campuses last year, including at NYU where demonstrations turned violent, with dozens of arrests being made. NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by the Trump administration's antisemitism taskforce. The task force is examining how universities have handled alleged antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
Washington Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
NYU denies diploma to student who criticized Israel in commencement speech
NEW YORK — New York University said it would deny a diploma to a student who used a graduation speech to condemn Israel's attacks on Palestinians and what he described as U.S. 'complicity in this genocide.' Logan Rozos's speech Wednesday for graduating students of NYU's Gallatin School sparked waves of condemnation from pro-Israel groups, who demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against him. In a statement, NYU spokesperson John Beckman apologized for the speech and accused the student of misusing his platform 'to express his personal and one-sided political views.' 'He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules,' Beckman added. 'The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.' Universities across the country have faced tremendous pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech or risk funding cuts from President Donald Trump's administration, which has equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism. But NYU, which is attended by Trump's son , Barron, has largely avoided the president's ire so far. Rozos, an actor and member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the liberal art program's address. He said he felt a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about what he called the atrocities in Palestine. '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,' he said. The speech drew loud cheers from the crowd, along with a standing ovation from some graduating students. But as video of the speech spread online, it was roundly denounced by pro-Israel groups, who accused NYU of creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students. '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 in a statement. The group #EndJewHatred suggested the speech — which did not mention Jewish people — would meet the university's newly-expanded definition of antisemitism, which includes certain criticism of Israel. An emailed inquiry to Rozos was not returned. As pro-Palestinian rallies roiled campuses across the country last spring, the 2024 commencement season was was marked by tensions and cancellations , and strict limits on what students could say. With billions of dollars of funding at risk from the Trump administration, the stakes for universities are even higher this year, some faculty said. 'They are bending over backward to crack down on speech that runs counter to what the current administration in Washington espouses,' said Andrew Ross, a professor of social and cultural analysis at NYU. 'Myself and many of my colleagues are frankly appalled at the decision that's being made to deny a student speaker his diploma,' Ross added. 'This is a very good example of an administration falling down on the job.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
NYU denies diploma to student who criticized Israel in commencement speech
NEW YORK (AP) — New York University said it would deny a diploma to a student who used a graduation speech to condemn Israel's attacks on Palestinians and what he described as U.S. 'complicity in this genocide.' Logan Rozos's speech Wednesday for graduating students of NYU's Gallatin School sparked waves of condemnation from pro-Israel groups, who demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against him. In a statement, NYU spokesperson John Beckman apologized for the speech and accused the student of misusing his platform 'to express his personal and one-sided political views.' 'He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules,' Beckman added. 'The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.' Universities across the country have faced tremendous pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech or risk funding cuts from President Donald Trump's administration, which has equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism. But NYU, which is attended by Trump's son, Barron, has largely avoided the president's ire so far. Rozos, an actor and member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the liberal art program's address. He said he felt a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about what he called the atrocities in Palestine. '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,' he said. The speech drew loud cheers from the crowd, along with a standing ovation from some graduating students. But as video of the speech spread online, it was roundly denounced by pro-Israel groups, who accused NYU of creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students. '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 in a statement. The group #EndJewHatred suggested the speech — which did not mention Jewish people — would meet the university's newly-expanded definition of antisemitism, which includes certain criticism of Israel. An emailed inquiry to Rozos was not returned. As pro-Palestinian rallies roiled campuses across the country last spring, the 2024 commencement season was was marked by tensions and cancellations, and strict limits on what students could say. With billions of dollars of funding at risk from the Trump administration, the stakes for universities are even higher this year, some faculty said. 'They are bending over backward to crack down on speech that runs counter to what the current administration in Washington espouses,' said Andrew Ross, a professor of social and cultural analysis at NYU. 'Myself and many of my colleagues are frankly appalled at the decision that's being made to deny a student speaker his diploma,' Ross added. 'This is a very good example of an administration falling down on the job.'
