Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, appeared to refuse to explicitly condemn Hamas and instead took issue with what he called ‘selective outrage’ over the plight of Palestinians during an interview on Tuesday. The interview, conducted by CNN’s Pamela Brown, focused on Khalil’s position on the terrorist group, which is designated as a terrorist organization in the United States. Khalil, who was released on bail earlier this month, was asked whether he would specifically condemn Hamas for its actions on October 7, 2023. He responded by condemning the killing of all civilians, but refused to directly condemn Hamas. When pressed by Brown, Khalil argued that the focus should be on the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians rather than condemning the group. He claimed that selective condemnation was ‘disingenuous,’ arguing it would not lead to a constructive conversation. The interview highlighted the broader debate over how to balance criticism of state actions against the suffering of civilians in conflict zones.
Khalil’s situation has drawn attention due to his legal status in the U.S. He was arrested in March at Columbia University over his anti-Israel activism and was initially detained for immigration violations. An immigration judge ruled that he could be deported based on a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that his campus protests were not aligned with U.S. foreign policy interests. However, a federal judge later ordered his release on bail, calling it ‘highly, highly unusual’ to keep a legal U.S. resident in custody without accusations of violent offenses or the risk of flight. The Department of Homeland Security also noted that Khalil had failed to disclose his employment with the Syrian office in the British Embassy in Beirut when applying for permanent U.S. residency, which could impact his legal status. These developments have further complicated his legal standing and underscored the tensions between his activism and U.S. foreign policy.
The White House has responded to Khalil’s statements with strong criticism, accusing him of failing to condemn Hamas despite his role as a U.S. resident. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated that ‘it shouldn’t be difficult to condemn a heinous terrorist organization responsible for brutal acts of rape, murder, and torture against innocent people – but apparently it is for Khalil.’ Jackson also pointed out that Khalil has consistently engaged in conduct detrimental to American foreign policy interests, including ongoing support for Hamas and harassment of Jewish students on campus. This criticism has intensified as some Democratic politicians have publicly endorsed Khalil, raising questions about the alignment of his actions with the values of the party. Khalil’s lawyer has yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, leaving the situation open to further developments. As the debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, Khalil’s case highlights the complex interplay between activism, legal status, and political alignment in the U.S.