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Rutgers University Withdraws Invite to a Graduation Speaker over His Criticism of Israel
Rutgers said some graduating students would skip the ceremony over his Israel criticism on social media.
- Rutgers University School of Engineering canceled the scheduled May 15 convocation address by Rami Elghandour, CEO of Arcellx, after student concerns emerged about his social media posts.
- University administrators rescinded the invitation after learning some graduating students would not attend the ceremony due to concerns about the speaker's social media posts focused on Israel.
- Elghandour produced the documentary "The Voice of Hind Rajab" and defended a University of Michigan commencement speech by history professor Derek Peterson that praised pro-Palestinian student activists.
- On social media, Elghandour stated that "after a few students complained about my selection as speaker because of my social media advocacy for Palestine, Rutgers has canceled my speech."
- The cancellation reflects broader springtime commencement debates over the war in Gaza, following Rutgers' January 2025 settlement of a federal civil rights investigation into its handling of antisemitism.
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20 Articles
Rutgers Disinvites Grad Speaker After He Criticizes Israel
The Rutgers University at New Brunswick School of Engineering canceled a pro-Palestinian alumnus as its convocation speaker after, the university says, some graduating students complained about his social media posts.
·Washington, United States
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Rutgers pulls graduation speaker after his anti-Israel social media posts allegedly drew student backlash
Rutgers University pulled biotech CEO Rami Elghandour as graduation speaker after his pro-Palestinian social media posts allegedly prompted students to skip the ceremony.
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left8Leaning Right6Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 22%
R 33%
Factuality
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