Last Week Was a Bad Week For Pro-Hamas & Pro-Hezbollah Activists In America. There is growing concern in the United States about the rising glorification of violent Middle Eastern terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah disguised as pro-Palestinian activism on our campuses. The U.S. Government has arrested a graduate student responsible for violent antisemitic incitement at Columbia, and colleges and universities that risk losing federal funding are reviewing their rules that passively permitted the harassment of Jewish students on campuses.
Residency Laws & Incitement. If this graduate violated the laws that enabled his residency in the U.S., we endorse the government’s legal action against him.
Secretary Marco Rubio Lays Out His Case, offering a response to concerns about free speech and instances when some campus agitators raised the Hamas and Hezbollah flags or mirrored their talking points. The American Jewish Congressposted to X a clip of Secretary Rubio where he explains why revoking the visa status of someone involved in pro-Hamas agitation is the right response. This is roughly the gist of his argument [not a quote]: Foreign nationals who misrepresent their intentions on visa applications—while harboring hatred for the U.S. and supporting terrorist groups—have no rightful claim to residency. If their entry was facilitated through deception, both their visa and Green Card were obtained fraudulently. No responsible nation would knowingly allow individuals who openly support designated terrorist organizations and seek to destabilize the country to remain within its borders. The U.S. has every right to revoke their status and remove them from the country.
[Also, check out our post highlighting a call by the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for students to disrupt campus. Free expression does not mean intimidation. Jewish students deserve safe learning environments.]
Source: @AJCongress on X
But First, This Is How the Middle East Sees It: When campus protests peaked last year, prominent Arab pundits in Middle Eastern media expressed alarm at American protesters waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags and displaying gestures that seemed to endorse Hamas actions [in fact, U.A.E. Foreign Minister took to social media to say, “I told you so,” with a clip of him warning the West about a soft approach toward extremist ideologies and groups in the Middle East]. So, it is not surprising they are relieved to see U.S. action against perceived support for terror groups. Arab commentators have warned that such extremist ideologies threaten not only Western societies but also moderate Arab and Muslim nations. Their message is clear: radical ideologies cannot be excused when they promote violence or threaten security.
Crackdown on Campus Antisemitism: Arrest, Deportation, and Federal Action Against Columbia University. Recent developments highlight a decisive shift in addressing rising antisemitism on American campuses, with actions taken against individuals and institutions that enable extremist rhetoric—including Jew-hatred and anti-Israel hate—disguised as pro-Palestinian activism.
Arrest and Deportation of Columbia University Protest Leader
Source: @WhiteHouse
- Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian and Columbia graduate student, was arrested by federal authorities after leading antisemitic protests and intimidation campaigns against Jewish students at Columbia University.
- Reports allege Khalil engaged in rhetoric that incited violence and celebrated terrorist groups, a pattern seen among extremist elements infiltrating campus activism after October 7 and throughout 2024.
- ICE officials confirmed that deportation proceedings are underway.
- There is pushback from some members of Congress, such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, suggesting that this arrest is a violation of constitutional rights.
- Tweeted CNN commentator Scott Jennings: “Mahmoud Khalil’s group wants to eradicate Western Civilization & foment unrest in the United States. President Trump & Sec Rubio are well within their legal rights to deport this radical. We are either going to stand up or become Europe. I’m 100% behind the President.”
- The U.S. Government has signaled a zero-tolerance stance on individuals who exploit academic institutions to spread hate and threaten the safety of Jewish and other American students that don’t share their worldview. In the words of President Trump: “This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Admin will not tolerate it.”
Federal Government Suspends Aid to Columbia University
- The U.S. Department of Education announced a temporary suspension of federal grants to Columbia University due to its failure to address antisemitism on campus.
- The decision follows mounting pressure from advocacy groups, lawmakers, and Jewish student organizations demanding action against institutions that allow hate-fueled activism.
- Columbia administrators have faced criticism for inconsistent enforcement of policies, allowing antisemitic demonstrators to operate with impunity while silencing Jewish students raising concerns. [See What SUNY can teach the Ivy League about curbing antisemitism by Daniel Rosen, President of American Jewish Congress].
- This action sets a precedent for nationwide accountability for universities that fail to curb antisemitism disguised as legitimate activism.
Jewish Alumni of Columbia Speak Out
- The Columbia University Jewish Alumni Association (CUJAA) has been vocal in condemning the university’s inaction. In its latest statement, the group offered an eloquent repudiation for those advocating for Khalil’s activism: “Khalil has spent over a year abusing the privileges this country and Columbia gave him. He faced zero consequences—until now. If he is now FINALLY being removed as an antisemitic instigator and anti-Western provocateur, this isn’t a tragedy. This is justice.”
- Columbia’s Jewish Alumni have outlined key concerns:
- Campus Safety Negligence: Jewish students have been harassed and threatened without adequate protection.
- Selective Enforcement of Policies: While antisemitic protests flourish, Jewish students face administrative roadblocks when countering hate speech.
- Call for Institutional Reform: CUJAA demands firmer policies against hate speech, administrative accountability, and stronger partnerships with Jewish advocacy groups.
A Turning Point for University Accountability
The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the exposure of antisemitism within student movements, and the federal suspension of aid to Columbia mark a pivotal moment in the fight against hate on campus.
