Pro-Israel students at Cornell rip university for hosting Israel-hating singer at upcoming concert

Fox News - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on Fox News

Pro-Israel students at Cornell University are criticizing the school for inviting R&B artist Kehlani to perform at the annual Slope Day concert on May 7. Kehlani has been vocal about her anti-Israel stance, sharing messages on social media and in her music that have sparked outrage among Jewish and pro-Israel students. These students have signed a petition demanding the university rescind the invitation, arguing that her messages go beyond political critique and directly attack the majority of Jewish students who identify as Zionist. Despite the outcry, Cornell's administration has indicated that it is too late to replace the performer, although they have amended the contract to prohibit any political messaging during the event.

This controversy at Cornell unfolds amid broader tensions on college campuses regarding Israel and Palestine, amplified by recent events such as the October 7 Hamas attack. The situation also coincides with federal actions by the Trump administration, which has frozen $1 billion in grants to Cornell and other Ivy League institutions over alleged civil rights violations, including antisemitism. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in balancing free expression with fostering an inclusive environment, reflecting larger national and international debates over Israel and Palestine and civil rights on campuses.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely account of the controversy surrounding Kehlani's scheduled performance at Cornell University, focusing on the reactions of pro-Israel students and the university's response. It effectively highlights the key issues but could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, particularly from Kehlani or her supporters. The use of credible sources supports the article's accuracy, though additional details on specific claims would enhance transparency. Overall, the story is engaging and relevant, addressing significant cultural and political topics, but would be strengthened by a broader range of viewpoints and more in-depth context.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the controversy surrounding Kehlani's performance at Cornell University, citing specific social media posts and student reactions. It mentions Kehlani's anti-Israel statements and the petition by pro-Israel students, which aligns with the cited sources. However, the story could benefit from more precise details regarding the timing of the university's awareness of Kehlani's views and the specifics of the contract changes, which are not fully detailed. The claim about the federal funding freeze due to antisemitism investigations is significant but lacks detailed verification within the article.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of pro-Israel students and the university's response to their concerns. It highlights the students' objections and the administration's actions but does not provide a comprehensive view of Kehlani's perspective or any supporting arguments for her performance. The lack of representation of Kehlani's views or those of students who might support her performance suggests a potential bias towards the pro-Israel viewpoint. Including a broader range of perspectives would enhance the article's balance.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points of the controversy. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations of certain terms or events, such as 'intifada' or the specifics of the federal investigation, would enhance comprehension for readers unfamiliar with these topics.

7
Source quality

The article references credible sources such as The Washington Free Beacon and statements from Cornell University officials, which lends authority to the reporting. However, the reliance on sources like Fox News and the absence of direct quotes from Kehlani or her representatives could limit the depth and impartiality of the coverage. The article would benefit from a more diverse range of sources, including those that might provide a different viewpoint or additional context.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context around the controversy and the university's decision-making process, but it lacks transparency in areas such as the methodology of the petition and details of the contract changes. The absence of explicit information on how the claims were verified or the sources of some statements, such as the federal funding freeze, affects the overall transparency. Clearer disclosure of the basis for claims and potential conflicts of interest would improve the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2025/04/kotlikoff-rebuts-kehlani-s-slope-day-headline-it-s-too-late-to-secure-another-performer
  2. https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/stopantisemitism-cornell-chabad-president-criticize-invite-to-singer-kehlani-for-concert
  3. https://thebeat951.com/music-news/2025-04-22-students-express-concern-about-kehlanis-headlining-performance-at-cornell-university/
  4. https://freebeacon.com/campus/f-k-israel-f-k-zionism-uproar-at-cornell-over-featured-spring-concert-singer-kehlani/
  5. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/cornell-university-under-fire-for-inviting-jew-hater-kehlani-to-perform-jewish-safety-and-wellbeing-are-negotiable-101745199305278.html