Jewish students and their families walked out of MIT’s commencement ceremony after the senior class president accused the university of aiding “genocide” in Gaza, prompting disciplinary action and igniting a firestorm over free speech on campus.

At a Glance

• MIT senior class president Megha Vemuri was barred from further graduation events after delivering an anti-Israel speech that deviated from her approved remarks
• Jewish students and families walked out during the speech, which accused MIT of being “complicit in genocide” through its ties with Israel
• The incident represents the third case this year of a student commencement speaker at an elite university condemning Israel
• MIT defended its disciplinary action, stating Vemuri deliberately misled organizers and disrupted an important ceremony
• The controversy highlights growing tensions on college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Controversial Commencement Address Sparks Walkout

MIT’s graduation ceremony erupted in chaos when senior class president Megha Vemuri, who graduated with degrees in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics, delivered a speech condemning the university’s connections to Israel.

During her address, Vemuri praised classmates for supporting Gaza and called on MIT to sever ties with Israel’s military, claiming the university was complicit in what she termed “genocide.” Her remarks prompted immediate reactions from the audience, with some Jewish students and their families walking out in protest while others shouted “shame.”

The controversial speech included claims that MIT’s undergraduate body and graduate student union had voted to cut ties with the Israeli military. “You have faced the obstacle of fear before, and you turned it into fuel to stand up for what is right — you showed the world that MIT wants a free Palestine,” Vemuri told graduates. She further declared, “We are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.”

University Response and Disciplinary Action

MIT swiftly responded to the incident by barring Vemuri from participating in further graduation events. The university stated that her speech was not the one provided in advance for approval, accusing her of deliberately misleading commencement organizers. “MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony,” an MIT spokesperson stated.

Following the speech, some Jewish and pro-Israel students and faculty called for MIT President Sally Kornbluth’s resignation. Professor Retsef Levi, a prominent faculty member, publicly declared that “MIT deserves a better leader” in response to the handling of the situation. The controversy occurs amid already heightened tensions, as MIT recently suspended a pro-Palestinian student group and blocked publication of a pro-Palestinian student magazine edition.

Broader Context of Campus Tensions

This incident represents the third case this year of a student commencement speaker at an elite American university publicly condemning Israel. The controversy at MIT reflects growing divisions on college campuses nationwide following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza. Neighboring Harvard University has faced similar tensions over its response to allegations of campus antisemitism, highlighting the polarized environment at America’s top academic institutions.

The disrupted ceremony left many families disappointed on what should have been a celebratory occasion. Israeli students expressed particular dismay, noting that Jewish families, including many non-Israelis, walked out during the speech. Meanwhile, some attendees showed support for Vemuri’s message by waving a Palestinian flag. MIT’s actions following the incident have sparked additional debate over the boundaries of free speech on campus and how universities should handle politically charged statements during official ceremonies.

Institutional Developments Amid Controversy

As the controversy unfolded, MIT announced the election of 10 new members to its Corporation, including Jewish diplomat Alan Leventhal, suggesting potential shifts in the institution’s governance during this period of tension. The university faces ongoing challenges in balancing its commitment to academic freedom with maintaining appropriate decorum at ceremonial events. The incident has become emblematic of the difficulty educational institutions face in navigating highly polarized political issues while fulfilling their primary mission of education.