Overview
- The Jewish Theological Seminary said Israeli President Isaac Herzog cannot travel to New York and will not attend commencement in person, though he will speak by video and accept his honorary degree at a later date.
- Herzog’s office said the decision was not linked to campus objections, and New York City’s mayoral office said it had no role in the change.
- A letter from six JTS undergraduates opposed his selection, citing what they called pro-war statements, including his signing of artillery shells bound for Gaza and comments they believed condoned violence against civilians.
- Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz met the letter’s authors, said they are not anti-Zionist, and condemned how a wider resharing misidentified them and led to public calls for their expulsion.
- JTS leaders defended inviting Herzog as consistent with the seminary’s mission, pointing to his advocacy for strengthening Israel’s democracy and support for a two-state solution.