Mahmoud Khalil credits Palestinian activism for reshaping US politics
Summary
Mahmoud Khalil returned to Columbia University for the first time since his 2025 arrest to discuss his memoir. He said Palestinian student activism has shifted U.S. views and encouraged political change, while criticizing Columbia’s response to campus protests and describing his ongoing fight against deportation as a free-speech issue.Key Facts
- Khalil, a Columbia graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, spoke at an event attended by about 100 people.
- He was arrested by immigration authorities on March 8, 2025, and held for three months without criminal charges.
- Khalil was released from immigration custody on June 20, 2025; the Trump administration continues to seek his deportation.
- Khalil helped lead Columbia student demonstrations in 2024 against Israel’s war in Gaza.
- He accused Columbia leaders of trying to erase Palestinian voices and criticized the university for authorizing police to clear protesters.
- Columbia said it supports faculty members’ right to organize academic events and that inviting a speaker does not mean the university endorses their views.
- Khalil cited progressive candidates, including Abdul El-Sayed and Zohran Mamdani, as signs of political change.
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