Rutgers University cancels a planned commencement-related speech by alumnus and business leader Rami Elghandour after some students raise concerns about his social media posts. Several outlets report that Elghandour was scheduled to speak at the Rutgers School of Engineering convocation on 15 May in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The decision follows student complaints that his online activity includes criticism of Israel and content described as related to events in Gaza and the West Bank, including sharing news articles and footage.
In reporting on the change, outlets characterize the posts differently but agree on the central point: Rutgers withdraws an invitation after backlash from students. Fox News and the New York Post describe the posts as anti-Israel, while The Guardian and The Independent frame the dispute in terms of pro-Palestinian material and criticism of Israel. The Independent also adds that the social media activity frequently includes sharing content depicting violence in the region.
No outlet cited here reports that Rutgers gave a detailed policy explanation beyond the student concerns. Elghandour’s appearance is therefore not scheduled to proceed as planned.
