Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Returns to Columbia for First Time Since Arrest

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has returned to Columbia University for the first time since his arrest in 2025, describing his return as a “victory.”

Khalil used the occasion to criticize the university’s response to student protests, accusing it of suppressing demonstrations.

He also accused Columbia of seeking to silence Palestinian voices, framing his criticism around both the treatment of protesters and the space afforded to Palestinian advocacy.

The return marked a personal milestone for Khalil, but his remarks underscored his continued opposition to the university’s handling of campus activism.