Why it matters:
Protests against the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil signify widespread support for Palestinian rights and opposition to the imprisonment of political advocates. This has led to increased criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates regarding U.S. foreign policy.
The big picture:
Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate of Columbia University, is known as a prominent Palestinian rights activist. Despite his legal status as a green card holder, which grants him permanent residency in the US, Khalil was detained in a manner that his legal team has challenged as unlawful.
Key points:
- Only 14 congressional Democrats have backed Khalil, raising concerns about political support and free speech implications regarding his arrest.
- The Trump administration pressured Columbia by canceling $400 million in grants to address alleged anti-Semitism on campuses.
Go deeper:
The gathering of Palestinian advocates in New York serves as a demonstration against Mahmoud Khalil's detention and a symbol of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Trump has vowed to deport foreign students and imprison “agitators” involved in protests against the Israeli genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/510800/US-seeks-to-deport-Columbia-University-student-for-leading-protests
Ashkan Salehian
