Earlier this month, it was announced that Kehlani would carry out at Slope Day, Cornell College’s annual spring live performance to have fun the ultimate days of undergraduate courses. Her live performance invitation has now been rescinded, nonetheless, as a consequence of her opposition to Israel’s battle in Gaza.
“Slope Day is a cherished custom at Cornell—a time for our neighborhood to return collectively to have fun the tip of courses. For many years, scholar leaders have taken the helm in organizing this occasion, hiring performers they hope will enchantment to the scholar 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 choice of Kehlani as this yr’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” he continued. “For that cause, I’m rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and anticipate a brand new lineup for an amazing 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 considerations from our neighborhood that many are offended, harm, and confused that Slope Day would characteristic a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, movies, and on social media. Whereas any artist has the precise in our nation to specific hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our neighborhood, not dividing it.”
Kehlani has lengthy opposed Israel’s battle in Gaza and shown support for Palestinians. Israel’s battle 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 response to recent numbers from Gaza’s Well being Ministry, Israel’s offensive has killed greater than 51,000 Palestinians.
In response to The Cornell Sun, college students from Cornellians for Israel launched a petition towards the choice 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 Dwell 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 towards 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 towards free speech on school campuses. The administration has significantly focused faculties which have handled scholar protests towards Israel and the battle in Gaza. Cornell, for instance, just lately, had greater than $1 billion frozen by the Trump administration as the federal government investigates allegations of antisemitism on campus.
