A student at New York University (NYU) was denied his diploma after delivering a graduation speech condemning the war in Gaza and the “atrocities currently happening in Palestine”. Using his public forum, he described the US as “complicit in this genocide”. While receiving widespread appreciation from his peers, the NYU administration withheld the diploma instead.
Logan Rozo at NYU’s Gallatin School gained vast condemnation from pro-Israel groups following which the university termed as a misuse of his platform. A part of the official statement issued by the NYU stated that. “He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.”
Here's the grad speech that NYU is now withholding the student's diploma for:
"As I search my heart today in addressing you all…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." https://t.co/Ngy64yAqJT pic.twitter.com/gDnbJTHmPS
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) May 15, 2025
Rozo pointed out in his speech that, “The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and military by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been live-streamed to our phones”. Condemning the “complicity to genocide”, there were no overt mentions of Gaza or anti-Israel stands. To the naked eye, it seemed that professors and faculty were showing support by applauding his remarks—making the decision to withhold his diploma appear contradictory to what was publicly witnessed.
What did the NYU administration say?
NYU spokeperson after the accusation of lying labelled his speech as “personal and one-sided political views.”
“NYU strongly denounces the choice by a student at the Gallatin School’s graduation today—one of over 20 school graduation ceremonies across our campus—to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views…The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.”
“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.”
However, this is not an isolated incident as the Palestetian situation prolongs over 18 months. Various universities have risked facing fund-cuts following their pro-Palestine stand and faced criticism towards Israel with antisemitism. The New York University is among US President Trump’s ten universities under close scrutiny since constant instances surrounding the Israel-Gaza war.