Palestinian activist sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and retaliation

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate and well-known advocate for pro-Palestinian students, sued the university in New York federal court, accusing it of neglecting harassment complaints and retaliating against activists. The lawsuit contends that Columbia’s inaction allowed the public release of personal information about group members and contributed to Khalil’s arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March 2025, after which he spent 104 days in a Louisiana detention facility.

Khalil argues the school perpetuated misinformation about his role, fostering further peer-on-peer harassment of Palestinian and Muslim-identified students. He also alleges the university recharacterized the group’s activities as security risks and altered disciplinary policies to curb criticism of Israel. The filing requests a court order to end the group’s suspension, restore Khalil’s campus privileges, and award damages to be determined at trial. The suit also names the student organization and its president, Mohammad Zubairi, as co-plaintiffs.