Kehlani Responds To Cornell University Cancelation Over Her Pro-Palestinian Activism

Kehlani responded to Cornell University’s decision to remove her from its annual spring concert by stating that she is “not anti-Semitic nor anti-Jew,” but rather “anti-genocide.” The university’s move came in response to her opposition to Israel’s assault on Gaza and her pro-Palestine stance, amid accusations that she had expressed “antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments.”

“I’m not anti-semitic nor anti-jew. I’m anti-genocide. I’n anti the actions of the Israeli government. I’m anti an extermination of an entire people. I’m anti the bombing of innocent children, men, and women. That’s what I’m anti,” the American singer said in a video she posted in her Tiktok account.

Kehlani said she clarified her position because the accusations are “coming up as a means to silence me.. to change the chorus of my life and I just don’t believe that.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Kehlani would perform at Slope Day, Cornell University’s annual spring concert to celebrate the final days of undergraduate classes. Her concert invitation was rescinded, however, due to her opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and her pro-Palestine stance.

“Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” the university’s president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, wrote in an email to students that was posted online.

“For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and expect a new lineup for a great 2025 Slope Day to be announced shortly.”

Explaining his decision to remove Kehlani from Slope Day, Kotlikoff said: “In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it.

Kehlani has long opposed Israel’s assault in Gaza and shown support for Palestinians. According to The Cornell Sun, students from Cornellians for Israel launched a petition against the selection of Kehlani not long after she was announced for Slope Day. The group took issue with some of her social media posts and cited the singer’s “Next 2 U” music video, which opened with the message “Long Live the Intifada.” The term “intifada,” an Arabic word for an uprising, is used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to signal support for Palestine’s liberation from oppression. It has also been used to describe periods of protests by Palestinians against Israeli occupation. The video prominently featured Palestinian flags and dancers wearing keffiyehs.

Cornell’s decision to remove Kehlani from its spring concert arrives as US President Donald Trump and his administration crack down against free speech on college campuses. The administration has particularly targeted schools that have dealt with student protests against Israel and the war in Gaza. Cornell, for example, recently, had more than $1 billion frozen by the Trump administration as the government investigates allegations of antisemitism on campus.Kehlani also launched a merchandise campaign to raise funds for Gaza, Sudan, and Congo, raising over $555,000. The merchandise, including T-shirts made in Bethlehem and screen-printed in Ramallah, aimed to support families in these regions.

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