Rutgers University canceled a graduation speech scheduled to be given by a Rutgers engineering graduate after complaints about his social media posts supporting the Palestinians.
Rami Elghandour, a tech entrepreneur, was set to speak at the School of Engineering ceremony on May 15. However, the dean informed him last week that the school was rescinding the invitation, according to The Guardian.
The dean said the cancellation was prompted by student complaints about his social media posts “opposed to their beliefs." He did not indicate how many students complained or which specific posts they took issue with.
Huge news. Rutgers rescinds its invitation to a graduation speaker, citing his anti-Israel comments.
— Rachel (@rachelbsol18) May 7, 2026
Rami Elghandour, chairman and CEO of the biotechnology company Arcellx, was scheduled to speak at the Rutgers School of Engineering convocation ceremony on May 15.
The…
Elghandour, who is the CEO of a biotech company, produced an Oscar-nominated film about a Palestinian girl who was killed in the Gaza Strip. He said the decision confused him because the university previously praised him. “What is most puzzling to me is that they champion me for my humanitarian views and now they’re canceling me for them.”
@RutgersU @SoEGradRU actions are clearly discriminatory. They further contribute to the dehumanization of Palestinians underpinning their genocide. Thank you Professor Kalet for speaking up and for your support 🙏🏽
— Rami Elghandour (@RamiElghandour) May 7, 2026
“Hank Kalet, a journalism professor at the school who serves as… https://t.co/EvTOb2S4J0
He hired a law firm to review his social media history, and they found no hate speech or violations of his company’s code of conduct. He said he told the dean the cancellation sent a “dangerous” message to students: “Don’t you dare speak up and say anything that you believe.”
Rutgers cited an April 20 post on X in which Elghandour said Israel was committing genocide and “running dungeons where they train dogs to sexually assault prisoners.”
Forget a free ride. They’ve committed genocide. They’re running dungeons where they train dogs to sexually assault prisoners... Weapons embargo is the absolute minimum. Sanctions and diplomatic isolation are beyond justified. This we’ll sell them weapons won’t fly…
— Rami Elghandour (@RamiElghandour) April 20, 2026
Rutgers is not the only university to make a similar decision. Georgetown University Law Center announced that Morton Schapiro withdrew as its 2026 commencement speaker after students launched a petition criticizing him over opinion essays he wrote supporting Israel.
"I have presided over 28 commencements as a president and dean, and those ceremonies are about celebrating the graduates and their supporters. I was looking forward to giving a talk about humility and gratitude, but I don't want my presence to distract from the day's festivities,” he wrote in his withdrawal letter.