NEW YORK \u2013 Rutgers University has canceled a planned graduation speech by business leader Rami Elghandour after some students raised concerns about his criticism of Israel on social media.<\/p>\n
Elghandour, the CEO of biotech company Arcellx and an alumnus of the New Jersey university, had been set to give the May 15 convocation address at the Rutgers School of Engineering. <\/p>\n
That invitation was rescinded after the university learned that “some graduating students would not attend their graduation ceremony due to concerns about the invited speaker\u2019s social media posts,\u201d a Rutgers spokesperson said in a statement. <\/p>\n
The spokesperson declined to specify the offending posts, but confirmed they were focused on Israel. Elghandour did not respond to a message seeking comment. <\/p>\n
Elghandour frequently shares news articles and footage of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, along with his own commentary accusing Israel of committing war crimes and upholding a system of apartheid.<\/p>\n
He also served as the executive producer of the \u201cThe Voice of Hind Rajab,\u201d a documentary about a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli Defense Forces. <\/p>\n
The cancellation comes as the springtime commencement season ignites yet another round of debate<\/a> about student protests against the war in Gaza, which have roiled U.S. campuses in recent years and led to canceled speeches<\/a> and disruptions<\/a> during graduations. <\/p>\n