Kehlani has responded to Cornell University revoking her invitation to perform at its annual spring concert, Slope Day, after accusing her of being anti-Semitic.
Kehlani has previously spoken out about Israel’s war in Gaza, and the university has taken offense.
In a video shared on her social media, Kehlani denied being anti-Semitic and highlighted her work with Jewish organizations.
“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,” says the singer.
“In fact, the very first [Instagram] Live that I did in the beginning of this genocide was with a really beautiful Jewish organization called Jewish Voices for Peace, and I still continue to learn from and work alongside really impactful Jewish organizers against this genocide,” she continued.
The latest wave of violence kicked off after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, left 1,200 Israelis dead. A ceasefire was brokered in January 2025, but things went left again by March when Israel accused Hamas of breaking the deal. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s response has now claimed the lives of over 51,000 Palestinians.
“I want to be very clear in stating that I do believe God has plans for me and that’s not gonna stop nothing that I have going on, but I’m asked to clarify because this keeps coming up as a means to silence me, as a means to stop things that happen in my career, as a means to change the course of my life, and I just don’t believe that,” Kehlani shared.
