Israeli President Herzog Cancels NY Visit, to Speak Virtually Amid Protests

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog has canceled his scheduled in-person appearance at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) graduation ceremony in New York, opting instead to deliver his address virtually. The event, originally set for May 19, included plans to award Herzog an honorary degree, which will now be presented at a later date in Israel. While pro-Palestinian students had voiced strong opposition to his visit due to his support for the war in Gaza, Herzog’s office explicitly denied that protests influenced the decision. Officials attributed the cancellation to logistical circumstances following the President's recent diplomatic trips to Costa Rica, Panama, and Kazakhstan. Herzog cited vague 'circumstances' preventing travel. The incident highlights ongoing tensions on US campuses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some students criticizing Herzog while others praised his stance against anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, broader geopolitical tensions persist, with reports indicating Israeli preparations for potential renewed US-led actions against Iran. The JTS, affiliated with Columbia University, remains a focal point for these academic and political debates.