NYU withholds student speaker's diploma over speech denouncing Israel's Gaza genocide

New York University is withholding the diploma of a student who denounced Israel's war on Gaza, accusing him of "misusing" his role and delivering a speech that was not approved.

At his graduation ceremony from the Gallatin School, Logan Rozos, 24, spoke of "the atrocities currently happening in Palestine".

"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," Rozos said as the crowd cheered.

"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 last 18 months."

"I do not wish only to speak to my own politics today but to speak for all people of conscience who feel the moral injury of this atrocity, and I want to say that I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide."

Rozos' speech was "strongly" denounced by NYU, with its spokesperson, John Beckman, accusing the student of misusing "his role as student speaker 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 said in a statement, confirming that the university is withholding Rozos' diploma until they "pursue disciplinary actions".

The student would not officially be considered graduated while his diploma is withheld until there is a resolution.

Democratic lawmaker Jared Moskowitz also criticised Rozos while trolling him, claiming that the student of "lying" about Israel's horrific war on Gaza.

The lawmaker told CNN that the student's move was a "stupid, selfish thing", and said Rozos "ruined the ceremony for a lot of families".

"Good luck getting a job," Moskowitz added.

Several US universities have cracked down on pro-Palestinian activism since the outbreak of Israel's latest war on Gaza in October 2023. Campus authorities have banned protests, called in security services and changed codes of conduct to prevent protests.

The Trump administration is also trying to deport some pro-Palestinian international students at US schools, alleging their presence could harm US foreign policy interests.

Over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's war on Gaza with 100 killed in strikes on Friday alone.