NYU Student Bar Association President Ousted Over Remarks Blaming Israel for October 7^th Massacre

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The head of the New York University (NYU) Student Bar Association (SBA), Ryna Workman, has been removed from her position following controversial remarks linking Israel to the October 7 terrorist attacks, as was reported by the New York Post. The decision came after an online vote held between November 15 and November 22, with 707 members voting for her removal and 428 against.

Workman publicly stated, “Israel bears full responsibility” for the brutal massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7 which left over 1200 Israelis and others dead.  The Post report indicated that the remarks triggered a swift response from the student body, leading to the vote for her removal. Cole Kauffman, an NYU law student, expressed the sentiment that Workman misused her platform and served personal interests rather than the student body’s best interests.

Speaking to the Post, Kauffman said, “We elected Ryna Workman to that prestigious role to lead in the best interest of the student body. They egregiously misused their platform and instead served their own personal interest and soapboxed as many students were still processing the horrific things we were seeing out of Israel on October 7^th.”

The controversy began when Workman sent a letter on October 10, blaming Israel for the terrorist attacks. According to the Post report, NYU leadership promptly disavowed the statement, leading to the initiation of the process to remove Workman from her position. Subsequently, the entire SBA was disbanded for safety reasons.

In an October 11 statement, NYU Law unequivocally condemned the terrorist acts and atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. As was noted in the Post report, the school asserted that any statement failing to recognize the brutality of these acts does not reflect the values of NYU Law.

“NYU Law unequivocally condemns the recent terrorist acts and the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. The murder and kidnapping of civilians, and the use of sexual violence and the separation and torture of children, are all abominable and atrocious,” the school said.

They added that, “We want to say, loud and clear, to our community: Any statement that does not recognize this brutality does not reflect the values of NYU Law,” the Post report said.

Workman faced additional professional consequences when a job offer at the law firm Winston & Strawn was rescinded swiftly after the remarks were made, the Post report. The law firm, which represents Hunter Biden, took decisive action following the controversy.

Workman, who is trans, has remained defiant and unapologetic about her stance. The Post report added that despite the ousting, she expressed disappointment in the vote’s outcome and emphasized her commitment to advocating for Palestinian human rights and calling for a ceasefire to end the purported “occupation” that she believes is harming Palestinians.

The incident highlights the challenges universities face in navigating sensitive geopolitical issues, emphasizing the importance of responsible leadership within student organizations. The aftermath underscores the impact of public statements on both academic and professional spheres, with Workman facing repercussions beyond her role in the NYU SBA.