Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, has gained public attention following his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was released by a federal judge earlier this year and recently refused to condemn Hamas during a CNN interview.
The judge ordered Khalil’s release from Louisiana custody in June after his lawyer requested he be transferred to New Jersey. In an interview on CNN’s “Situation Room,” host Pamela Brown asked Khalil if he would place blame on Hamas. Khalil, however, diverted the focus.
“I condemn the murder of all civilians and a complete halt,” he stated firmly. When pressed further by Brown, he emphasized, “No, I’m very clear in blaming all civilians. I’m very straightforward in my position on that part. But it’s dishonest to talk about blaming Hamas while Palestinians are suffering due to Israel.”
Khalil chose instead to highlight the broader context of Palestinian suffering rather than directing his comments at Hamas specifically.
“No, I’m very clear in blaming all civilians,” he reiterated. “But it’s dishonest to blame Hamas for the current conditions of starving Palestinians. We should address the root causes of these issues, and no one can justify killing civilians.” However, Brown persisted with her inquiry.
“To be clear, Mahmoud, we did ask. I understand we’re discussing your views on Palestinians, but it’s fair to ask about Hamas, especially considering the claims from some about sympathizers,” she said.
Khalil responded, “Yes, I protested against the war in Palestine. It’s my duty as a Palestinian and as a human to ask for an end to the murders in my home country. It’s absurd to ask such a question when 62,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel. I don’t engage in questions about denunciation.”
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer then stepped in, recalling their previous conversation about anti-Semitism. He wished Khalil well and congratulated him on the arrival of his new son, expressing a desire to keep in touch.
Following his release, Khalil filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for $20 million, citing false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and being incorrectly labeled as an anti-Semite during attempts to deport him.
As the Israeli-Hamas war progressed, left-leaning student protests erupted across major U.S. universities in 2024, with Columbia University experiencing significant unrest. University officials had to call for order, leading to arrests by the NYPD.
During this turmoil, Khalil, a graduate student on non-immigrant visas, emerged as a key figure in the movement, giving interviews and speaking out for campus activists and Columbia administrators.
