Cornell University has faced controversy over inviting entertainer Kehlani to perform on campus on May 7. Critics argue that Kehlani promotes violence against Israelis and Jews, as evidenced by her music video starting with the phrase “Long live the Intifada,” which is seen as inflammatory. The decision to invite Kehlani comes after the Trump administration froze $1 billion in funding to the university amid a civil rights probe regarding antisemitic discrimination and harassment on campus.
Disgusted students, including Amanda Silberstein, believe that Kehlani’s history of antisemitism and promotion of dangerous rhetoric poses a threat to the Jewish community on campus. Silberstein, who is a leader in Jewish organizations on campus, criticized Cornell for inviting someone with such controversial views to headline a high-profile event, stating that it alienates the Jewish community and sends a message that Jewish safety is not a priority. Watchdog group StopAntisemitism also condemned the invitation, highlighting Kehlani’s support for Hamas and her refusal to condemn violence against Israelis.
Kehlani’s music video “Next 2 U” was cited as promoting violence against Israelis by glorifying the Palestinian terror group Hamas and calling for the destruction of Israel. The singer has also shared posts on social media that eliminate the state of Israel and contain antisemitic rhetoric, such as calling Zionists evil and advocating for their eradication. Despite these views, Cornell defended its decision to invite Kehlani, stating that the artist was chosen based on popularity and musical genre. The university emphasized that political expression is prohibited during the performance, and any breach of contract will result in loss of payment.
Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism, criticized Cornell for featuring Kehlani despite her history of promoting hate speech against Jews. Rez argued that universities enabling bigotry, harassment, and violent extremism should be fully defunded, investigated for foreign funding, and have their assets taxed. The controversy surrounding Kehlani’s invitation has sparked a debate about how universities should address artists with controversial views and the responsibility they have to protect all students, including the Jewish community.
The decision to invite Kehlani to perform on campus has raised questions about the treatment of Jewish students and the expectation for them to tolerate antisemitic rhetoric. Rez compared the situation to other forms of hate speech targeting different minority groups and called for universities enabling such behavior to be held accountable. Cornell maintained that Kehlani’s personal views do not represent the university and emphasized the importance of upholding anti-discrimination policies during the performance. The university’s response to the controversy reflects broader debates about free speech, inclusion, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to protect all students from discrimination and hate speech.
