Cornell cancels Kehlani gig over pro-Palestine stance

University cites singer's "anti-Israel sentiments"

Cornell University has cancelled a planned performance by Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kehlani after a wave of backlash surrounding her vocal support for Palestine. The decision was announced by university president Michael I Kotlikoff, who cited concerns over what he described as the artist's "antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments," stating that the booking had "injected division and discord" on campus, reported The Guardian.

Kehlani was slated to headline Slope Day, an annual end-of-year celebration at the Ivy League school in upstate New York. In a public statement, Kotlikoff said he had received "grave concerns" from members of the Cornell community, many of whom were "angry, hurt, and confused" by the artist's inclusion in the lineup.

While Kotlikoff acknowledged that Kehlani, like all artists, has the right to express political views, he insisted that Slope Day was "about uniting our community, not dividing it."

The 29-year-old artist has been outspoken in her pro-Palestine advocacy. In 2024, she released the song Next 2 U accompanied by a video featuring Palestinian flags, keffiyeh-style clothing, and the phrase "long live the intifada", a statement that has sparked controversy due to its association with Palestinian resistance movements.

In addition to the video, Kehlani posted strongly worded statements on social media, including a video in May 2024 in which she said, "F*ck Israel, f*ck Zionism." She also released limited-edition T-shirts made in Palestine to raise funds for Operation Olive Branch, a grassroots aid collective working in Gaza.

Kehlani explained her motivations for the release in an Instagram post, quoting activist Toni Cade Bambara's phrase: "The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible." She admitted she was "terrified" to release the song but felt compelled to act in the face of what she described as "the most historical tragedies of our generation."

Cornell's cancellation comes amid growing tensions on US college campuses over Israel's genocide in Gaza. Since October 2023, pro-Palestine protests have erupted at dozens of universities, prompting federal scrutiny. In March, the US Department of Education sent warning letters to 60 schools, including Cornell, urging them to protect Jewish students on campus.

Kehlani's removal is the second major live music controversy this week. Irish rap group Kneecap also drew fire at Coachella after displaying anti-Israel messages during their set. Their backdrop read "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" and "F*ck Israel. Free Palestine."

As of now, Kehlani and her representatives have not issued a formal statement in response to Cornell's decision.