Columbia University Activist Mahmoud Khalil who Was Arrested by ICE for Supporting Hamas: Our Activism Is Very Peaceful; Republican Politicians Accuse Us of Antisemitism Because Columbia Is Considered
Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by U.S. immigration services on March 8, 2025, was interviewed by Al-Arabiya Network (Saudi Arabia) on May 3, 2024, about his activism at Columbia University. When asked if activism on campus had crossed into anarchy and destruction, Khalil replied that all his activism had been "very peaceful." He attributed Republican politicians' accusations against Columbia University to partisan reasons, as the university is seen as pro-Democrat. Khalil denied any involvement in antisemitic incidents, claiming that those responsible for such acts were not part of his movement. Khalil, a former employee of UNRWA, was arrested for activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. As a student organizer, Khalil had represented activists who took over areas of Columbia University, including an incident where a janitor was taken hostage, during negotiations with university authorities.
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