In New York, Columbia University became a focal point of student protests concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this year. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student in international affairs, emerged as a prominent figure within this movement which later influenced other universities across the United States.
Khalil, often seen around Columbia’s campus, acted as a spokesperson for demonstrators who opposed Israel’s military actions in Gaza and urged Columbia to sever financial connections with Israel and related companies. He stated in April that their goal was to remain visible.
His visibility, however, has now placed him at the center of President Donald Trump’s initiative to address what the administration perceives as antisemitic and “anti-American” sentiments on campus. Recently, Khalil, who is a legal resident of the U.S. and married to an American citizen, was detained by federal immigration officers from his home, marking the first known arrest in this campaign.
While Trump and his administration consider Khalil’s detention as a step towards removing foreign students allegedly fostering hostile environments for Jewish students, civil rights groups and Khalil’s attorneys argue that this is an infringement on free speech and an effort to silence pro-Palestinian perspectives. Colleagues and protest participants who worked with Khalil expressed shock, describing him as a considerate and informed individual.
Andrew Waller, a former British diplomat and Khalil’s colleague during his tenure at the UK’s Beirut embassy, praised Khalil’s diplomatic experience and lamented his arrest. Khalil’s work experience involved a significant background check and responsibilities supporting UK diplomatic efforts in Syria.
Originally from Syria, Khalil’s journey to Columbia was inspired by the civil war that disrupted his initial plans to pursue aviation engineering. He found refuge in Lebanon, where he worked with an education nonprofit and attended university. He pondered in a past essay the fate he might have faced without the opportunities provided by scholarships and employment.
Khalil continued his education in the United States, earning a degree in computer science before enrolling at Columbia. The protests last spring at Columbia, sparked by the conflict in Gaza, saw him playing a vital role in mediating for pro-Palestinian activists and ensuring the safety of Muslim students.
Photographs capturing Khalil unmasked at the protests and his openness to the media swiftly turned him into a focal point for critics decrying antisemitic elements within the demonstrations. The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association labeled him a “ringleader of the chaos,” while a university disciplinary committee examined complaints against him, including allegations of harassment.
Currently, Khalil remains detained in a federal immigration facility in Louisiana. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt advocated for his deportation, citing his involvement in protests that allegedly intimidated Jewish students and promoted pro-Hamas material. These claims are contested by fellow demonstrators who defend Khalil as a peaceful and diplomatic presence.
Maryan Alwan, a senior at Columbia, spoke of Khalil’s mild manner and his skill in resolving internal disputes among student activists. Outside of activism, Khalil enjoyed cooking and music, participating in Columbia’s Arab Music Ensemble.
The protest leaders at Columbia vehemently deny antisemitic intentions, maintaining their stance as anti-war and inclusive of some Jewish students and groups. However, a university task force reported significant issues with the campus climate regarding antisemitism, highlighting occurrences of verbal abuse and exclusion during protests.
Having completed his master’s degree work in December, Khalil was set to graduate in May. Meanwhile, Khalil and his wife, who is eight months pregnant, are eagerly awaiting their first child. In a statement expressing her distress, his wife appealed to the public for support, hoping for Khalil’s swift return home in time for their child’s birth.