Mahmoud Khalil, a well-known figure in Palestinian advocacy in the United States, returned to Columbia University on Tuesday for the first time since his arrest in 2025 under pressure from the Donald Trump administration. This return, along with an event to introduce his new memoirs, is seen as a personal victory.
Experience of Arrest and Lack of Support from the University
Khalil, 31, told reporters at the event, which was attended by about 100 people, that Columbia University is seeking to "erase" him and every other Palestinian voice from the campus. He criticized the institution for its response to student protests in 2024, which he claimed included allowing the New York police to disperse protesters violently.
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Columbia had stated at the time that the protests posed a threat to safety. Khalil also accused the university of failing to support him against harassment by U.S. immigration officials before his arrest. He was imprisoned without charges for three months and was released in June 2025.
Criticism of Columbia's Response and Call for Dialogue
Khalil said in an interview, "Columbia could have been a model for holding difficult dialogues on campus and should have adhered to human rights and international law." He added, "But they chose to act otherwise. They chose violence and repression."
Khalil's return to Columbia has been met with mixed reactions. Some Jewish groups on social media protested this return. A spokesperson for Columbia University stated that the university is committed to "rigorous discussions, research, and respectful dialogues among differing viewpoints." He added, "Columbia supports the right of faculty members to organize academic events, and inviting a speaker does not imply endorsement of their views."
While Khalil has returned to the university and used his voice to express his opinions, the future of Palestinian advocacy in the United States remains uncertain. He hopes that his return can help raise awareness about the situation of Palestinians and lead to the creation of a space for constructive dialogues on campuses.
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