A New York University (NYU) student who slammed Israel’s war in Gaza during a graduation speech has had his diploma suspended.
Logan Rozos faced strong criticism from the university after repeatedly labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” claiming that these actions are backed by the United States.
“The ongoing genocide is politically and militarily supported by the United States, funded by our tax dollars, and has been livestreamed on our phones for the past 18 months,” stated Rozos, a soon-to-be graduate from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
His remarks sparked significant reactions from the audience, with some members giving applause and even a standing ovation, while others voiced their dissent.
New York University (NYU) student Logan Rozos has had his diploma suspended after he criticized Israel’s war in Gaza during a graduation speech. (NYU)
“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Rozos majored in cultural criticism and political economy, according to an archived version of Gallatin’s website.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.
Hundreds of students rally in Washington Square Park near NYU in April 2024. The war on Gaza sparked a wave of student protests on college campuses last year. (Fox News)
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.
