A student who blasted Israel for attacking Gaza after the attacks on October 7, 2023 during a graduation speech has yet to receive a diploma. Student Logan Rozos was nominated by peers at New York University (NYU) to present the graduation address for the school’s liberal arts program. Rozos’s speech, however, veered into the political realm, taking aim at not only Israel, but also the United States. “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. 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,” Rozos stated. “I just want to say I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide.”

The speech was hailed by some in the audience, receiving cheers and a standing ovation from some. But it wasn’t universally loved, and backlash quickly followed. “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. NYU quickly condemned the speech in a statement from John Beckman, senior vice president for public affairs and strategic communications. “NYU strongly denounces the choice by a student at the Gallatin School’s graduation today at Gallatin School’s graduation today.” He went on to add that Rozos had “lied” about the content of the speech prior to graduation. “He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules. The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.”

The controversy comes at a time when NYU is being investigated by the Trump administration over accusations of antisemitism. Universities across the nation have been criticized for anti-Israel protests since the October 7 attacks, with the administration threatening to withhold federal funding from any university which supports such activities. Democrats, too, have denounced such activities, including Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, who openly criticized Rozos. “He lied to the university. Second of all, he lied to everyone listening,” stated Moskowitz. There’s no genocide going on in Israel. There is a war, it’s unfortunate, and there are people in harm’s way because of what Hamas did. Yes, there are situations that I wish would improve, like, you know, getting more food into Gaza.” He later stated that whether Rozos received the diploma back was irrelevant to the damage done by the controversial speech. “You know, in fact, they can give him his diploma, it’s not going to matter. Good luck getting a job. That was a stupid, selfish thing, ruined the ceremony for a lot of families.”