Kehlani responds after being banned from performing at Cornell due to pro-Palestine views
After being banned from performing at a Cornell University concert for her pro-Palestinian views, Kehlani has responded on social media by clarifying that she is “not antisemitic nor anti-Jew” but instead “anti-genocide”.
The singer had originally been billed to perform at the university’s Slope Day celebration concert on May 7th, which celebrates the end of the academic year, but following backlash from students over her support of Palestine in the ongoing conflict with Israel, she has been removed from the gig.
As a result, Kehlani responded with a video posted to social media on April 27th featuring her Jewish-Palestinian best friend and Jewish studio engineer.
She said: “I am being asked and called to clarify and make a statement yet again for the millionth time that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew”.
Confirming: “I am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I’m anti the bombing of innocent children, men [and] women… that’s what I’m anti.”
Kehlani explained that the concert at Cornell University was not the only appearance she had been removed from due to her views, adding: “If you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your zionism. Don’t make it anti-Jew. This is a played out game. All this because we want people to stop dying.”
When her Cornell performance was previously cancelled on April 23rd, university president Michael I. Kotlikoff said in an email to students: “In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media.”
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