Kehlani clarifies, "for the millionth time," she's "not anti-Jew" following Cornell cancellation

Cornell University kicked singer Khelani off an upcoming concert for her support of Palestine, which, if you can believe it, Cornell has framed as antisemitism. 

By Matt Schimkowitz  |  April 27, 2025 | 7:14pm
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Fresh off being the victim of Cornellian cancel culture mob for her support of the Palestinian people, Kehlani has released another statement clarifying that she is pro-Palestinian, not antisemitic. Days ago, Cornell removed the R&B singer from the school’s Slope Day festival due to her activism against Israel’s destruction of Gaza. It, again, speaks to universities kowtowing to pressure from the government to curb free speech. Earlier this month, the Trump administration froze $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell as it investigates so-called “antisemitism” on campuses. This crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism has led to the abductions of activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested without a warrant, and doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk, who wrote an op-ed for her school paper criticizing the Israeli government.

“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. I am anti-genocide,” Kelhani said on Instagram. “I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I am anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women—that’s what I’m anti.”

Kehlani notes that her activism includes work with Jewish Voices for Peace, a Jewish-run organization standing in solidarity with the Palestinians. Her statement comes days after the Irish rap group Kneecap faced backlash for advocating for Palestinian liberation during their Coachella set. In response to Sharon Osbourne calling for a “revocation” of the group’s work visa, Kneecap said, “Statements aren’t aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though.” CBS reports that the overall death toll in Gaza is 52,000 people.

[via Vulture]

 
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