Kehlani Claps Back: Cornell Cancels Show Over Israel Stance!

At the beginning of the month, it was revealed that Kehlani was set to perform at Slope Day, the yearly spring celebration held by Cornell University to mark the conclusion of the undergraduate academic year. However, the university has since withdrawn her invitation to perform due to her public stance against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Cornell University’s President, Michael I. Kotlikoff, communicated this decision in an email to students, which was subsequently shared online. He noted, “Slope Day is a valued tradition at Cornell—a time when our community comes together to rejoice the end of classes. Historically, student leaders have been responsible for organizing this event, choosing artists they believe will resonate with the student population,” he stated.

Kotlikoff further elaborated, “Regrettably, the choice of Kehlani as this year’s main act has led to unexpected division and discord within our Slope Day celebrations. Therefore, I have decided to cancel Kehlani’s invitation and will soon announce a revised lineup for an exciting 2025 Slope Day.”

In explaining his action to disinvite Kehlani, Kotlikoff mentioned, “Since the announcement of Kehlani as the headliner, there have been significant concerns raised by our community. Many expressed their dismay, pain, and confusion over having a Slope Day performer who has publicly shared antisemitic and anti-Israel views through performances, videos, and social media posts. While it is the right of any artist in our country to express such views, Slope Day aims to unify our community, not divide it.”

Kehlani has been a vocal opponent of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has shown her support for the Palestinian cause. The conflict in the region intensified following a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. A ceasefire was established in January 2025 but was disrupted in March when Israel accused Hamas of not adhering to the ceasefire’s conditions. Recent figures from the Gaza Health Ministry indicate that more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed due to the Israeli offensives.

Following Kehlani’s announcement as a performer for Slope Day, The Cornell Sun reported that Cornellians for Israel initiated a petition protesting her selection. The group pointed to some of her social media activity and highlighted her “Next 2 U” music video, which begins with the phrase “Long Live the Intifada.” The Arabic term “intifada” signifies rebellion or uprising and is often used by pro-Palestinian groups to advocate for liberation from oppression, though it has also been associated with violent protests by Palestinians against Israelis.

In response to her removal, Kehlani addressed the issue in a video posted online, clarifying, “I am not antisemitic, nor anti-Jew. I am against genocide. I oppose the actions of the Israeli government. I am against the extermination of a people. I am against the bombing of innocent children, women, and men. That’s what I am against.”

The decision to exclude Kehlani from the Slope Day lineup comes as President Donald J. Trump’s administration intensifies its crackdown on free speech in universities, particularly targeting institutions dealing with student protests against Israel and its actions in Gaza. For instance, Cornell recently had over $1 billion in funds frozen by the Trump administration as it investigates claims of antisemitism on the campus.

This article was originally published on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and last updated on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 9:32 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.