NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (VINnews) – Rutgers University has rescinded its invitation to biotech entrepreneur Rami Elghandour to deliver the keynote address at its School of Engineering convocation, citing student concerns over his social media criticism of Israel.

Elghandour, a Rutgers alumnus and chairman and CEO of Arcellx, was scheduled to speak at the May 15 ceremony. University spokesperson Megan Florance said some engineering students indicated they would not attend graduation if he spoke, prompting the decision to prioritize “the celebratory spirit of the event.”

“This decision keeps the focus on our engineering students and honors the celebratory spirit of the event to ensure that no graduate feels forced to choose between their personal convictions and a convocation ceremony,” Florance said in a statement.

One post that drew particular criticism, according to a Rutgers official, was an April 20 message on X in which Elghandour accused Israel of committing “genocide,” claimed it operated “dungeons where they train dogs to sexually assault prisoners,” and called for a weapons embargo, sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Elghandour, who has frequently posted in support of Palestinians and accused Israel of war crimes during the Gaza war, condemned the university’s action Wednesday.

“After a ‘few’ students complained about my selection as speaker because of my social media advocacy for Palestine, Rutgers has canceled my speech,” he said in a statement. “They decided that the feelings of a handful of students who said that my social media posts ‘opposed their beliefs,’ were more important than the experience of the entire graduating class, the reputation of the school, the dignity and belonging of Arab and Muslim students, and the First Amendment.”

Elghandour, who served as an executive producer of the documentary “The Voice of Hind Rajab” about a Palestinian child killed in Gaza, said he would not waver on his principles.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the disinvitation, accusing Rutgers of favoring pro-Israel voices. The group noted a recent event hosted by the student group Students Supporting Israel that featured an Israeli soldier on campus.

“We call on Rutgers School of Engineering to reinstate Rami Elghandour as commencement speaker and approach issues of student safety and freedom of expression with more care,” CAIR said.

The move surprised some on campus. Just last week, Rutgers’ Executive Masters in Business Administration program highlighted Elghandour following a recent startup event, praising his leadership in closing a $7.8 billion acquisition of Arcellx by Gilead Sciences. The School of Engineering had also featured him prominently on its website in March.

Hank Kalet, a Rutgers professor of journalism and media studies who is Jewish, said Elghandour had been thoroughly vetted and remained popular among students.

“I don’t think that this is tremendously different than what we’ve seen at the University of Michigan and other schools that have been removing graduation speakers because of where they stand primarily on the Palestinian issue,” Kalet said. “It is incredibly chilling.”

Rutgers has faced protests over commencement speakers in the past. In 2014, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice withdrew after student objections tied to the Iraq War. Last year, the university initially faced pressure to cancel comedian Ramy Youssef as Newark campus speaker over his pro-Palestinian views, but he ultimately spoke and received an honorary degree.