UC Berkeley student forced to ditch Palestinian flag before being awarded diploma on stage as social media responds to viral video episode centering on free speech, student activism, liberal college, college protocol and foreign policy.
What if it was an Israeli flag? Disconcert has followed after viral video captured the moment UC Berkeley professors refusing to hand a student their diploma after walking on stage with a Palestinian flag. It wasn’t until the student was ditched the flag that they were awarded their diploma at the liberal college.
The unfolding incident happened during the pring graduation ceremony for the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California Berkeley, when a student walked across the stage to get their diploma only to hoist the flag.
Viral footage shows the student walking up to the person holding their diploma and the professor refusing to hand it over.
WOW: UC Berkeley stopped a graduate carrying a Palestinian flag and required him to put it away before allowing him to receive his diploma. 🔥
I’m pleasantly surprised. 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/XoA5Xi3Sex
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) May 26, 2026
Liberal college shuts down student activist
Stated an announcer at the event, ‘I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to have flags.’
‘Flags are prohibited. We’re not allowed to have flags.’
As the audience booing got louder, the announcer apologized and said ‘I’m sorry it’s not our policy, it’s the university policy.’
‘We are not allowed to have flags,’ the announcer reiterated.
Tensions flared as the student waited up to a minute before relenting and giving up the ‘controversial’ flag.
The student asked, ‘Do you want me to leave it here?’ before complying and setting the flag aside.
Changing tide amid ongoing Gaza conflict
The incident comes amid the ongoing strife in Gaza which has seen no less than 80K Palestinians killed following the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel at the hands of Hamas, that left 1200 dead.
Supporters of Palestine argue that the local population have been subjected to ongoing genocide, apartheid, discrimination, subjugation and the loss of their homes by Israel. Israel has countered it is simply defending itself and asserting a home for all ‘Jews.’
The school is now facing a backlash from student groups who are upset about what happened as antipathy towards Israeli policy has become the dominant sentiment among the youth three years in.
‘Commencement is a reflection of a student’s identity and values,’ a representative from a campus student coalition told Roya News.
‘To publicly discipline a student and hold their hard-earned degree over a flag is a severe overreaction that stifles free expression.’
A spokesperson for the university issued a statement to the outlet that ‘Campus guidelines regarding commencement decorum, stating that demonstrations or political displays that disrupt the flow of the graduation ceremony are prohibited.’
Others meanwhile counter that the Palestinian flag is a sybol of repression and terrorism and an existential threat to Israel and tantamount to antisemitism.
Social media responds to Palestinian flag controversy
And then there were these comments on social media that caught this author’s attention. See what you think?
‘Politics must not be allowed in universities.’
‘Take your flag and go back to your beloved country. You do not love America.’
‘Bravo Berkeley!’
‘Legend. Fight for Palestine.’
‘F*ck your Jihad’
‘The interesting thing is UCAL BERKELEY did this. That is a liberal cesspool! ‘
‘What if it was an Israeli flag?’
