Singer and activist Kehlani has issued a strong and detailed response after Cornell University rescinded her invitation to perform at its annual “Slope Day” event. The cancellation comes amid rising tensions over campus discourse regarding Israel and Palestine. In a video message posted on April 26, Kehlani firmly rejected allegations of antisemitism, emphasizing that her critiques were directed solely at the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.
Cornell Cites “Community Concerns” in Rescinding Kehlani’s Invitation
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff announced on the institution’s website that Kehlani would no longer be performing at Slope Day. He cited “grave concerns” from members of the university community who were “angry, hurt, and confused” by the decision to feature an artist accused of espousing “antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments.”
“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,” Kotlikoff wrote. “For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation.” He further noted that a new headliner for the event would be announced shortly.
The backlash appears to stem from Kehlani’s public expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, including her 2024 music video for “Next 2 U,” which prominently features Palestinian flags. The video opens with the phrase “long live the intifada,” a term that has different connotations depending on political perspective. According to the Anti-Defamation League, some Jewish and Israeli groups view chants of “intifada” as calls for violence. However, many Palestinians and human rights advocates, including NPR, describe it as a peaceful call for resistance against the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
Kehlani Denies Antisemitism Allegations and Reaffirms Support for Human Rights
In her video response, Kehlani made it unequivocally clear that she is not antisemitic and emphasized her close relationships with Jewish individuals, including a best friend who identifies as a Palestinian Jew. Speaking to her followers, Kehlani said, “I am not antisemitic or anti-Jew. I am anti-genocide. I am anti-actions of the Israeli government. I am anti-extermination of entire people. I am anti-bombing of innocent children, men, and women. That is what I am anti.”
She also referenced her work with Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish-led organization that advocates for Palestinian rights. “The very first live I did at the beginning of this genocide was with a wonderful Jewish organization called Jewish Voice for Peace, and I continue to learn from and work alongside impactful Jewish organizers against this genocide,” Kehlani explained.
Her remarks were not merely personal defenses. They reflected a broader political position that distinguishes criticism of the Israeli government’s military actions from bigotry against Jewish people as a whole. This distinction has become increasingly central to debates about free speech, academic freedom, and definitions of antisemitism in the United States.
Accusing Cornell of Political Censorship: “Do Not Call It Antisemitism”
In the caption accompanying her video post, Kehlani took her critique a step further, accusing her detractors of weaponizing allegations of antisemitism to shield Israel from legitimate criticism. “If you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your Zionism,” she wrote. “Do not make it anti-Jew.”
Kehlani also hinted that the cancellation at Cornell University is part of a broader pattern of professional obstacles she has faced. “I know you have seen Cornell University canceled my show, and now there are attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations I have already experienced over the past year,” she wrote.
Her comments reflect a growing frustration among many artists and activists who argue that criticisms of Israeli policies are being mischaracterized as antisemitic to delegitimize political dissent.
Free Speech and Palestine: College Campuses at the Center of a National Debate
Cornell University’s decision comes at a time when many American college campuses are grappling with internal conflict over the Israel-Palestine issue. Since the October 2023 escalation of violence in Gaza, numerous student groups, faculty members, and guest speakers have faced backlash for voicing support for Palestinian rights or criticizing Israeli military actions.
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have labeled Israel’s military operations in Gaza as potential war crimes and acts of genocide. Israel has categorically denied these accusations, maintaining that its actions are self-defense measures against Hamas and other militant groups.
The political climate surrounding discussions of Palestine has become increasingly polarized. On one side, critics argue that universities are censoring pro-Palestinian voices to appease donors and external political pressures. On the other side, many Jewish students and organizations say that some rhetoric surrounding the conflict crosses into antisemitism and creates hostile environments on campuses.
Kehlani Stands Firm as Broader Questions of Art, Activism, and Accountability Persist
Despite the controversy, Kehlani expressed confidence in her future. “I want to be very clear that I do believe that God has plans for me, and that is not going to stop anything I have going on,” she said in her video.
Kehlani’s case is likely to add fuel to ongoing national conversations about the boundaries of political speech, the definition of antisemitism, and the role of public figures in contentious geopolitical debates. Her decision to publicly challenge Cornell’s narrative, rather than quietly accept the cancellation, underscores the growing willingness of artists and activists to confront what they view as politically motivated censorship.
As this controversy unfolds, it raises urgent questions about how American institutions balance commitments to free expression with pressure from various political constituencies. The answers may determine the future of political dialogue on college campuses and beyond.
1 comment
sd2nqi