Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has returned to Columbia University for the first time since his arrest in March 2025, appearing at an event to discuss his new memoir detailing three months spent in immigration detention. Khalil allegedly claimed that campus advocacy has successfully shifted public perception and encouraged emerging leaders to question their views on Israel.

The 31-year-old graduate, who served as a prominent figure in the 2024 campus demonstrations, stated that the American public is purportedly beginning to view Palestinians as equal human beings. At the same time, he accused university leadership of resorting to brutality and repression in an effort to erase Palestinian voices from the campus.

Khalil’s return drew opposition from certain Jewish groups on social media, prompting a formal response from a university spokesperson. The administration asserted its commitment to rigorous debate while clarifying that hosting a speaker does not constitute an institutional endorsement of their controversial views.

Despite being released from custody, Khalil continues to face ongoing deportation efforts pursued by the US regime. He maintained that his struggle extends beyond personal residency rights, framing the conflict as a broader battle for free speech and political expression within the country.

Source: www.aljazeera.com