human rightsMonday, September 14, 20264 sources

Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University Over Anti-Palestinian Discrimination and Failure to Protect Pro-Palestinian Activists

Mahmoud Khalil, a US green card holder of Palestinian descent, sued Columbia University in September 2026, alleging years of anti-Palestinian discrimination, deliberate indifference, and failure to protect pro-Palestinian activists from harassment. The lawsuit follows his arrest by federal immigration agents in March 2025, part of a broader pattern of detentions targeting pro-Palestinian activists under the Trump administration. The case highlights tensions between academic institutions and government policies affecting pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), was arrested by federal immigration agents at his university apartment in March 2025. The incident is part of a series of detentions targeting pro-Palestinian activists under the Trump administration. Khalil’s lawsuit alleges that Columbia University failed to address persistent and coordinated harassment against him and other pro-Palestinian activists, claiming the institution showed 'deliberate indifference' to their safety and rights. The lawsuit also accuses the university of retaliation for his activism.

Sources

IndependentThe GuardianSep 14, 11:34 PM
Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over years of alleged anti-Palestinian discrimination

Lawsuit accuses university of ‘deliberate indifference’ and failure to respond to ‘persistent and coordinated harassment’ Mahmoud Khalil announced on Monday that he’s sued Columbia University, accusing the New York City school he attended of a years-long history of anti-Palestinian discrimination, indifference to harassment, and retaliation. Khalil, a US green card holder of Palestinian descent, was a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) when he was arrested at his university apartment by federal immigration agents in March 2025, the first of a number of foreign nationals that the Trump administration has detained and sought to deport over their pro-Palestinian advocacy. Continue reading...

IndependentLos Angeles TimesSep 14, 11:18 PM
Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia University, alleging it failed to address harassment against him and other members of a pro-Palestinian campus group

IndependentAl ArabiyaSep 14, 09:39 PM
Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists - Al Arabiya English

Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists  Al Arabiya English

IndependentThe IndependentSep 14, 09:17 PM
Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia University, alleging it failed to address harassment against him and other members of a pro-Palestinian campus group