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Khalil Sues Columbia Over Alleged Anti-Palestinian Student Harassment
Mahmoud Khalil and other student activists are suing Columbia University.
They say the university did not properly protect pro-Palestinian students from threats, doxxing and harassment.
They also say Columbia treated protests as security problems instead of investigating complaints.
The lawsuit says some students were punished after reporting harassment.
Khalil described Columbia as having deep anti-Palestinian bias.
Columbia did not directly respond to the lawsuit’s accusations.
It said making the campus safe and welcoming is a fundamental responsibility.
Khalil was arrested by immigration agents in March 2025 even though he had a green card and was not accused of a crime.
He was later released on bail but could still be deported.
Mahmoud Khalil, the SIPA Palestine Working Group and its president, Mohammad Zubairi, sued Columbia University in Manhattan federal court.
The complaint alleges Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian students from threats, doxxing and harassment linked to perceived Arab or Muslim ancestry and Palestinian advocacy.
Khalil says Columbia treated pro-Palestinian protests as security risks and retaliated against students who reported harassment.
Columbia declined to comment on the lawsuit but said creating a safe, welcoming and supportive campus is a responsibility it takes seriously.
Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and Algerian citizen, was arrested in March 2025, held for 104 days and still faces possible deportation.
- Who
- Mahmoud Khalil, the SIPA Palestine Working Group and its president, Mohammad Zubairi, sued Columbia University.
- What
- They allege Columbia violated federal civil rights law by failing to protect pro-Palestinian students from harassment and by retaliating against complaints.
- Where
- The complaint was filed in Manhattan federal court and concerns events at Columbia University.
- When
- The lawsuit was announced on September 14; Khalil was arrested in March 2025.
- Why
- The plaintiffs say Columbia was deliberately indifferent to harassment and violence connected to Palestinian advocacy and perceived Arab or Muslim ancestry.
Plaintiffs’ allegations
Columbia’s position
Harassment and campus safety
Plaintiffs’ allegations
The plaintiffs say Columbia failed to investigate threats, doxxing, harassment and violence directed at pro-Palestinian students.
Columbia’s position
Columbia declined to comment on the lawsuit’s allegations but said it takes responsibility for creating a campus where everyone feels welcome, supported and safe.
Treatment of protests
Plaintiffs’ allegations
The complaint says Columbia treated pro-Palestinian protests as security risks and made criticism of Israel’s military or government conduct subject to discipline.
Columbia’s position
The university has sought to balance safety concerns with calls for greater normalcy and openness; some community members said they felt unsafe or viewed some activity as antisemitic.
Institutional bias
Plaintiffs’ allegations
Khalil characterized Columbia as having entrenched, institutionalized anti-Palestinian bigotry across its departments and board of trustees.
Columbia’s position
Columbia did not provide a direct response to that characterization in the reports.
Key facts
- Plaintiffs
- Mahmoud Khalil, the SIPA Palestine Working Group and Mohammad Zubairi
- Defendant
- Columbia University
- Legal venue
- Manhattan federal court
- Allegations
- Failure to protect students from threats, doxxing, violence and other harassment
- Khalil’s status
- Algerian citizen and lawful permanent resident
- Detention
- Khalil spent 104 days in a Louisiana jail after his March 2025 arrest
- Immigration case
- Khalil was released on bail but still faces possible deportation
Quotes
Columbia University spokeswoman
Spokeswoman responding on behalf of Columbia University
“Creating a campus environment where every member of our community feels welcome, supported, and safe is fundamental to who we are as a university. It is also a responsibility we take seriously.”
NDTV
theprint.in
“We are suing because no student, regardless of their background, should go through the hell that Columbia put us through over all these years.”
NDTV
theprint.in
The lawsuit complaint
Legal complaint filed by Khalil and the SIPA Palestine Working Group
“Defendants' failure to respond to Mr. Khalil's, Mr. Zubairi's, and other PWG members' legitimate reports of ongoing harassment and violence, and the retaliatory actions they actively took in response to these reports, placed PWG members at risk of violence and caused sustained, ongoing harm”
NDTV
Sources
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