Rutgers Cancels Graduation Speaker Over Israel Criticism

Rutgers University has officially withdrawn a speaking invitation previously extended to business leader Rami Elghandour, who was scheduled to deliver a graduation speech at the New Jersey institution. The university canceled the planned address after some students raised concerns regarding the speaker's public criticism of Israel on social media platforms. Elghandour, an alumnus of Rutgers University, currently serves as the chief executive officer of the biotech company Arcellx and was set to speak at the upcoming May 15 convocation ceremony.^[1][2]

The controversy surrounding the speaking engagement centers on Elghandour's online commentary and shared content. The alumnus frequently uses his social media accounts to share news articles and distribute video footage that depicts ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank. This consistent sharing of material critical of Israel ultimately led to the student complaints that prompted the university to revoke his invitation to address the graduating class.^[1]

Prior to the cancellation, the Arcellx chief executive officer had been preparing to return to his alma mater to deliver the May 15 convocation address. The decision by Rutgers University to cancel the planned graduation speech was a direct response to the student concerns over his social media activity. The withdrawal of the invitation removes the business leader from the scheduled graduation event.^[1][2]