Mahmoud Khalil, known as a figure of resistance against the actions of former U.S. President Donald Trump, believes that the movement supporting Palestinians has been able to transform U.S. policies by changing public understanding and encouraging a new generation of leaders.
Social and Political Changes in America
Khalil stated in an interview: "Now, the American people are gradually changing their view of Palestinians and considering them as equal human beings." These remarks come ahead of the midterm elections and coincide with elections in Israel.
Read more: Palestinians Protest Against Israeli Military Destruction in the West Bank
Khalil gained fame during a protest held at Columbia University in New York. This protest is recognized as the center of protests against the war in Gaza in 2024. At the height of Trump's crackdowns, immigration officials detained Khalil for three months without legal charges and deprived him of seeing his first child.
Personal Experiences and Effects on the Movement
Khalil describes the harsh conditions he endured in his memoir titled "No Land to Stand On: Notes from Detention." He pointed out that support for Palestinians has helped change public attitudes in the United States, where polls show a historic increase in support for Palestinians.
Khalil referred to the election of individuals like Abdul Al-Sayed, a Muslim candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, and Zahra N. Mamdani, the pro-Palestinian mayor of New York, both of whom are critics of Israel, and noted that this change in attitude is observed across both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Khalil also mentioned Trump's efforts to suppress free speech regarding Palestinian rights, stating: "The Trump administration wanted to deter others from speaking about Palestine by detaining me." He described the conditions in prison as torture and referred to inhumane treatment in detention centers.
Khalil has been free for over a year now, but the Trump administration is still seeking to deport him. He lives in New York with his wife and 18-month-old child and continues to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
Read more: Malaysia Reopens Johor State Schools After Air Pollution Decrease · Arrest of Brad Lander, U.S. Congressional Candidate, by Israeli Forces in the West Bank
