Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist, recently faced criticism for failing to clearly denounce Hamas during a CNN interview. When questioned by Pamela Brown, it seemed he was trying to avoid making a direct condemnation not only of the group’s actions on October 7 but also of Hamas itself, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Khalil stated, “I condemn the murder of all civilians and a complete halt,” yet when pressed by Brown to specifically denounce Hamas, he sidestepped the issue. He expressed his views on the matter, saying, “I’m very clear in blaming all civilians…but it’s dishonest for Palestinians right now for Israel to ask about denouncing Hamas.”
The Columbia University graduate student was released on bail from an Immigration Detention Center back in June, with the presiding judge noting that it was uncommon to detain a legal resident without a charge of violent crime or indication of being a flight risk. He had been arrested in March over on-campus protests against Israel. An immigration judge pointed out that his activities did not align with U.S. foreign policy interests as per a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Interestingly, Khalil had not disclosed his employment at the Syrian embassy in Beirut when applying for permanent residency in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security.
During the interview, rather than focus on Hamas, Khalil highlighted violence suffered by Palestinians. He remarked, “We are not condemning October 6th, when 260 Palestinians were killed by Israel on October 7th,” expressing frustration over what he called “selective rage” in accusations against him. He argued that focusing solely on Hamas does not foster constructive dialogue.
Brown challenged him further, mentioning claims by Hamas that he is a sympathizer. Khalil responded, clarifying his commitment to seeking an end to violence in his homeland, emphasizing his belief in international law and human rights. He noted, “It’s just… it’s dishonest and absurd to ask such questions when literally 62,000 Palestinians are killed by Israel.”
This debate seems to underscore a broader tension, as critics argue Khalil’s actions contradict the interests of U.S. foreign policy. Observers pointed out how his support for Hamas on campus and his treatment of Jewish students aligns poorly with the values typically upheld within American political discourse. A representative for Fox News Digital reached out to Khalil’s lawyer for further comments.
