Earlier this month, it was introduced that Kehlani would carry out at Slope Day, Cornell College’s annual spring live performance to have a good time the ultimate days of undergraduate courses. Her live performance invitation has now been rescinded, nonetheless, on account of her opposition to Israel’s warfare in Gaza.
“Slope Day is a cherished custom at Cornell—a time for our group to come back collectively to have a good time the tip of courses. For many years, pupil 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 collection of Kehlani as this yr’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” he continued. “For that purpose, I’m rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and anticipate a brand new lineup for a fantastic 2025 Slope Day to be introduced shortly.”
Explaining his choice to take away Kehlani from Slope Day, Kotlikoff mentioned: “Within the days since Kehlani was introduced, I’ve heard grave issues from our group that many are offended, damage, 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 fitting in our nation to specific hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our group, not dividing it.”
Kehlani has lengthy opposed Israel’s warfare in Gaza and proven assist 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 led to March, as Israel accused Hamas of violating phrases of the settlement. Based on latest numbers from Gaza’s Well being Ministry, Israel’s offensive has killed greater than 51,000 Palestinians.
Based on The Cornell Solar, college students from Cornellians for Israel launched a petition towards the collection of Kehlani not lengthy after she was introduced for Slope Day. The group took concern with a few of her social media posts and cited the singer’s “Subsequent 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 utilized by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to sign assist 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 choice 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 notably focused colleges which have handled pupil protests towards Israel and the warfare in Gaza. Cornell, for instance, not too long ago, had greater than $1 billion frozen by the Trump administration as the federal government investigates allegations of antisemitism on campus.
