Rutgers University has withdrawn its invitation to business leader Rami Elghandour to deliver a graduation speech, following student complaints over his social media commentary critical of Israel. The decision, announced on Wednesday, adds to ongoing tensions surrounding commencement ceremonies amid pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. campuses.
Invitation Rescinded Over Student Concerns
Elghandour, CEO of biotechnology firm Arcellx and an alumnus of Rutgers, was originally scheduled to address the School of Engineering convocation on May 15. However, the university reversed course after learning that some graduating students planned to boycott the ceremony due to the speaker’s online posts, a Rutgers spokesperson confirmed. The spokesperson declined to specify the exact content of the posts but noted they focused on Israel.
Elghandour’s Activism and Documentary Work
Elghandour frequently shares news articles and footage of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, accompanied by his own accusations that Israel commits war crimes and maintains an apartheid system. He also served as executive producer of “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a documentary about a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces.
Elghandour did not respond to a request for comment.
Broader Debate Over Campus Protests
The cancellation comes as spring commencement season fuels renewed debate over student protests against the war in Gaza, which have disrupted graduations and led to canceled speeches across the United States in recent years. Earlier this week, the University of Michigan publicly disavowed a commencement speech by history professor Derek R. Peterson, who briefly praised pro-Palestinian activists. That speech prompted threats from Republican officials and donors to withhold funding, claiming it created a hostile environment for Jewish students. The university president’s subsequent apology drew criticism from academic and free-speech advocates.
On Tuesday, Elghandour shared a clip of Peterson’s speech on X, captioning it: “Most people choose convenience. Professor Peterson chose principle. True leadership. Much respect.”
The incident highlights the continuing polarization on U.S. campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with free speech and student safety often at odds.
