Kehlani’s Cornell Performance Canceled Over Pro-Palestine Comments

A scheduled performance from Kehlani at Cornell University in New York State has been canceled, with the university’s president issuing a statement on behalf of a divided student body. The school confirmed their decision to remove Kehlani was due to her making what were felt to be “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.”

Kehlani was due to perform at Slope Day, an annual Cornell tradition that celebrates the close of the academic year. President Michael I Kotlikoff wrote: “Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day. For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and expect a new lineup for a great 2025 Slope Day to be announced shortly.”

Kotlikoff notes his decision will be “celebrated by some and criticized by others,” adding, “I believe it is the right thing to do and the decision I must make to ensure community and safety at this high-profile event that reaches the entire campus.”

The decision to remove Kehlani from the lineup was made after Cornell received complaints about Kehlani’s “anti-Israel sentiments” in performances and on social media. Kehlani, an R&B singer, has publicly supported Palestine in her art. She waves Palestinian flags in the music video to her 2024 song “Next 2 U.” The video also features dancers wearing keffiyehs, and included the phrase, “Long Live the Intifada,” which has a variety of meanings, but is generally used to refer to rebellion against oppression.

On YouTube, the video includes a link to an Al Jazeera article listing names of some 16,800 children it reports Israel has killed since October 2023.

Representatives for Kehlani did not immediately return Variety‘s request for comment.

“While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it,” Kotlikoff continues in his statement, which notes he “spent the last few days talking privately with many students about Slope Day.”

The statement closes with Kotlikoff committing to revising the process for “researching and selecting performers for this important annual event.”