NEW YORK (AP) — New York University has used its graduation speech to condemn the attacks on Israeli Palestinians and said it would deny a diploma to students, which he described as “conspiracy to this genocide.”
Logan Rozos’ speech On Wednesday, it sparked a wave of condemnation from pro-Israel groups for graduates at NYU’s Gallatin School.
In a statement, NYU spokesman John Beckman apologized for the speech, accusing students of misusing their platform “to express his personal and unilateral political views.”
“He lied about the speech he was trying to deliver and violated the commitment he made to follow our rules,” Beckman added. “The university withheld his diploma while pursuing disciplinary action.”
Universities across the country are facing significant pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, which equates criticism with Israel’s anti-Semitism, to crack down on Palestinian speeches and risk reductions.
But NYU, that’s right Trump’s son attendedBaron has largely avoided the president’s rage so far.
Actor and member of the Gallatin Theatre Company, Lozos was chosen by fellow students to give him an address for the liberal arts program. He said he felt a moral and political obligation to tell audiences about what he called Palestinian atrocities.
“The genocide currently occurring is politically and militarily supported by the US, paid in taxes and has been streamed live to mobile phones for the past 18 months,” he said.
The speech cheered loudly from the crowd, along with standing ovations from the alumni.
However, as the speech video went viral online, it was roundly denounced by a pro-Israel group who accused NYU of creating a dangerous environment for Jewish students.
“Students, especially Jewish students, should not be able to sit through politicized rhetoric that promotes harmful lies about Israel during such personal milestones,” the anti-defense league said in a statement.
The #Endjewhatred group suggested that speeches that did not mention Jews meet at the university. Newly expanded The definition of anti-Semitism, including specific criticism of Israel.
No inquiries emailed to Rozos were returned.
The 2024 launch season was marked by as pro-Palestinian rally rocked campuses nationwide last spring tension and canceland strict restrictions on what students can say.
University interests are even higher this year due to the risk of raising billions of dollars from the Trump administration, some faculty members said.
Andrew Ross, professor of social and cultural analysis at NYU, said:
“Me and many of my colleagues are frankly alluding to the decisions being made to deny his diploma to student speakers,” added Ross. “This is a very good example of how the administration has fallen into work.”
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