New Jersey (QNN)- Rutgers University has canceled a planned graduation speech by biotech CEO Rami Elghandour after complains by zionist individuals over his social media posts criticizing Israel. The decision has triggered a wider debate over Israel's influence on free speech in US campuses.
Elghandour, the CEO of the biotech company Arcellx, was set to deliver the May 15 convocation address at the Rutgers School of Engineering, where he studied.
A Rutgers spokesperson said the decision followed "concerns" about Elghandour’s "online activity, which focused on Israel." The university did not specify the posts but confirmed they were related to Israel and had prompted student objections.
Elghandour regularly shares news and footage from Gaza and the West Bank. He has also stated about Israel's war crimes and maintaining of a system of apartheid.
In a public response, Elghandour called the cancellation “heartbreaking and disappointing.” He said Rutgers had previously highlighted his humanitarian work, including his role as executive producer of the documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab, which tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl from Gaza killed by Israeli forces in a shocking crime.
“They led with my social justice advocacy. Until it was inconvenient,” Elghandour said. He added that the decision showed the difference between “virtue signaling and principles,” arguing that true principles should withstand pressure.
The cancellation comes during a tense graduation season across US campuses, where protests over the genocide in Gaza continue to influence ceremonies and speakers.
Earlier this week, the University of Michigan also faced Israeli outrage after a commencement speech that included praise for pro-Palestinian and anti-genocide student activists. The remarks triggered political pressure and renewed debate over campus speech limits, especially around Israel and Palestine.
Elghandour later shared a clip of that speech on X, praising the “principled leadership.”
Legal and civil rights groups have also reacted. The Center for Constitutional Rights accused Rutgers of violating free speech protections and sent a letter demanding the university reinstate Elghandour as convocation speaker. The group argued that canceling him over his views on Palestinian rights amounts to viewpoint discrimination.
Rutgers has not publicly responded to the legal letter.
In his own extended statement, Elghandour said the university prioritized “a handful of students” over the graduating class and broader principles of academic freedom. He also said the decision sends a “deeply concerning message” about speaking out on humanitarian issues.
He added that he still plans to record and share his prepared speech online, saying students deserve to hear it directly.
