Earlier this month, it was announced that Kehlani would carry out at Slope Day, Cornell College’s annual spring live performance to rejoice the ultimate days of undergraduate courses. Her live performance invitation has now been rescinded, nonetheless, as a result of her opposition to Israel’s warfare in Gaza.
“Slope Day is a cherished custom at Cornell—a time for our neighborhood to return collectively to rejoice the top of courses. For many years, pupil leaders have taken the helm in organizing this occasion, hiring performers they hope will enchantment to the coed physique,” the college’s president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, wrote in an e-mail to college students that was posted on-line.
“Sadly, though it was not the intention, the collection of Kehlani as this 12 months’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” he continued. “For that motive, I’m rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and count on a brand new lineup for a fantastic 2025 Slope Day to be introduced shortly.”
Explaining his determination to take away Kehlani from Slope Day, Kotlikoff stated: “Within the days since Kehlani was introduced, I’ve heard grave issues from our neighborhood that many are indignant, harm, and confused that Slope Day would function a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, movies, and on social media. Whereas any artist has the correct in our nation to precise hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our neighborhood, not dividing it.”
Kehlani has lengthy opposed Israel’s warfare in Gaza and shown support for Palestinians. Israel’s warfare within the territory escalated after the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 Israelis. A ceasefire took maintain in January 2025, however ended in March, as Israel accused Hamas of violating phrases of the settlement. In keeping with recent numbers from Gaza’s Well being Ministry, Israel’s offensive has killed greater than 51,000 Palestinians.
In keeping with The Cornell Sun, college students from Cornellians for Israel launched a petition in opposition to the collection of Kehlani not lengthy after she was introduced for Slope Day. The group took problem with a few of her social media posts and cited the singer’s “Next 2 U” music video, which opened with the message “Lengthy Stay the Intifada.” The time period “intifada,” an Arabic phrase for a rise up or rebellion, is used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to sign help for the area’s liberation from oppression. It has additionally been used to explain intervals of violent protests by Palestinians in opposition to Israelis. Representatives for Kehlani didn’t instantly reply to Pitchfork’s requests for remark.
Cornell’s determination to take away Kehlani from its spring live performance arrives as President Donald J. Trump and his administration crack down in opposition to free speech on school campuses. The administration has significantly focused colleges which have handled pupil protests in opposition to Israel and the warfare in Gaza. Cornell, for instance, lately, had greater than $1 billion frozen by the Trump administration as the federal government investigates allegations of antisemitism on campus.
