New Delhi: The University of California, Berkeley is now at the centre of a controversy after a graduate student was denied his diploma scroll. The graduating student was reportedly denied the certificate after he walked across the stage with a Palestinian flag during the graduation ceremony held on 22 May 2026. A video from the ceremony has gone viral on social media and has conversations online about free expression and institutional policy.
The video captures Hesham walking up to Dean David C Wilson, and waving the Palestinian flag at the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) commencement ceremony. Wilson then denied Hesham the diploma. The incident elicited a strong response from the crowd, which erupted into loud cheers and boos. While some screamed, “Let him walk,” disapproval resounded in the voices of “This is America.”
A woman standing at the podium onstage spoke about the no-flag policy at the event. “We are not allowed to have flags,” she says.
Following a brief exchange, Hesham handed the flag off-stage and collected his scroll.
How social media responded
In a response video posted by the Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Hesham identifies himself and critiques the university for being complicit in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
“The repression that followed my act, is a small example of the UC system’s wider complicity toward the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” says Hesham.
“UC Berkeley’s legacy of free speech is nothing but a thin veil when confronted by the fact that it has contributed to the destruction of every university in Gaza,” reads the caption posted alongside the response by Bay Area PYM. PYM is a grassroots, international movement that organises Palestinian and Arab youth to struggle for Palestinian liberation.
Social media, however, remains unconvinced.
“Props to the educators. Politics has no place in a school,” read one comment. Others insisted that only the American flag deserves space in schools.
Others stood up in solidarity with Hesham, applauding him for his bravery.
“Ashamed of my alma mater. Bravo Hesham,” commented one Instagram user.
UC Berkeley, however, maintains that the guidelines clearly prohibited signs, banners and flags. The dean justifies the incident, citing the aforementioned rule.
“Genuine equity demands that we treat everyone by a standard consistent with our agreements, regardless of the cause they represent,” Wilson quoted to KTVU Fox.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)