In a New York Times interview last week, Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia’s anti-Israel protest leader arrested this year for his role in campus unrest, made remarks that should shock every decent American. He dismissed antisemitism at Columbia as “manufactured hysteria,” defended Hamas’s October 7 massacre as a “desperate attempt … to break the cycle,” and claimed such violence was inevitable. Maybe we should ask him if he is willing to look at the raw footage of the rapes from the October 7 massacre. That raw footage is restricted precisely because it exposes the pit of depravity that Hamas and other Palestinian militants from Gaza exhibited on that day.
His remarks and logic are so outrageous and radical that a fellow Palestinian Gaza native, Ahmed Fuad Al-Khatib, felt compelled to respond, stating: “October 7 was a choice, not an inevitability!” In a detailed rebuttal on X/Twitter, Al-Khatib warned that “Mahmoud Khalil’s interview with Ezra Klein brought up a problematic and recurrent theme in the ‘pro-Palestine’ movement that must be dispelled and rejected.” Read his full reply here.
We strongly support freedom of expression and have in the past platformed Palestinian activists and businessmen willing to work with Israelis for a shared future. But in Mahmoud Khalil’s case, allegations circulating about his work and links deserve to be investigated.
Here’s what Khalil said, and why it matters:
Controversial Remarks
- Campus Antisemitism? “Manufactured hysteria.” – Downplays an issue Jewish students describe as a real and growing threat.
- October 7 was “necessary.” – Frames the massacre as a “desperate attempt” to achieve political recognition.
- “We couldn’t avoid such a moment.” – Portrays Hamas’s slaughter as inevitable, not a preventable choice by a terror group backed by Iran.
- Invokes “perfect victims” defense. – Suggests Palestinians cannot be expected to reject violence by becoming “perfect victims.” A cynical way of ridiculing the victims of the October 7 massacre.
- Defends extreme slogans. – Stands by “Globalize the intifada” and “From the river to the sea,” widely seen as calls for violence and Israel’s destruction.
- Opposition to Abraham Accords. – Rejects U.S.–Israel–Saudi normalization, echoing Hamas and Iran’s stated motives for launching October 7 to derail peace efforts they oppose.
Watch / Read the Full Interview:
Other Coverage:
- Mahmoud Khalil argues Oct. 7 was ‘desperate attempt’ by Palestinians to ‘break the cycle’ – New York Post
- ‘Manufactured’: Mahmoud Khalil dismisses concerns about rising campus antisemitism – Algemeiner
- Mahmoud Khalil’s alternative facts – The New York Sun
- Mahmoud Khalil pushes back on claims of antisemitism at Columbia in Ezra Klein interview – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- Oct. 7 happened because ‘we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims,’ Mahmoud Khalil says – JNS.org
- ‘A cry to be heard’: Columbia protest leader justifies Oct. 7 – World Israel News
