Columbia Student Describes Khalil as “Insidious” & Had Deep Hate for Israel

By: Hal C Clarke

A Jewish graduate student at Columbia University has revealed disturbing details about her former classmate, Mahmoud Khalil, describing him as an “insidious” figure who harbored deep hostility toward Israel.

According to a New York Post exclusive report, the student, who preferred to remain anonymous, said Khalil’s extreme views made her feel unsafe, ultimately leading her to drop a class they shared at the university’s School of International and Public Affairs. Despite filing formal complaints, she claimed Columbia failed to take any action against him.

“It would almost be easier if he were some terrifying-looking man who threatened to punch people in the face, but he wasn’t,” she said. “He was very soft-spoken and careful with his words, which almost made him seem more insidious because it was so intentional.”

Khalil, a leader in the anti-Israel protest movement at Columbia, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and now faces possible deportation. His arrest followed his role in organizing demonstrations, including encampments and takeovers that disrupted campus life for over a year. His presence had long sparked concerns among Jewish students, many of whom said they felt threatened by his rhetoric and actions.

The student recalled feeling uneasy about Khalil’s behavior, especially his laptop, which bore a sticker depicting a map where Israel was blacked out. “It was just so clear that the thing driving him most in life is destroying Israel and everyone within it,” she said.

As reported by the New York Post, Khalil, 30, openly identified as a leader of the Students for Justice in Palestine group at Columbia and frequently expressed his disdain for Jews. In their class, which focused on Israeli politics, he was often absent but would show up only to interrupt discussions, particularly targeting an Israeli professor.

“He routinely attacked Jewish students in a WhatsApp group for the class, making inflammatory, antisemitic comments,” the student alleged. “I was so disturbed that I dropped the class entirely.” She also noted that Khalil’s aggressive online presence extended beyond Columbia, as he was often involved in external activism, spreading anti-Israel messaging through social media and campus events.

Khalil was arrested at his Columbia-owned apartment on March 8 and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. His case has sparked outrage among anti-Israel activists, who have staged protests across New York City, including demonstrations outside Trump Tower and Columbia University’s interim president’s residence.

The New York Post exclusive report noted that Khalil, originally from Syria and also a citizen of Algeria, moved to the U.S. in 2022 for a master’s degree. He later obtained a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, but the Trump administration has argued that his actions justify deportation under national security grounds.

For the Jewish student who once shared a classroom with Khalil, his detention came as a relief. “It literally felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “I feel safer on campus now.”

Meanwhile, Khalil’s legal team is fighting to prevent his deportation, arguing that ICE’s actions were unlawful. Columbia remains at the center of a heated debate over antisemitism, free speech, and the role of universities in policing hate speech on campus