Xavier University of Louisiana has canceled Saturday’s planned commencement address by the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, after news of her appearance sparked outrage among some students.
Students were outraged over Thomas-Greenfield’s invitation to speak because of their opposition to the past positions by the US on the war in Gaza.
Before presenting a March resolution to the UN’s security council that called for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza”, the US vetoed three other ceasefire resolutions proposed by other countries.
In explaining one veto, Thomas-Greenfield said the US could not support ceasefire resolutions that do not mention Israel’s right to self-defense; in explaining another, she said the US could not support a ceasefire until Hamas freed hostages it took during its 7 October attack on Israel.