By In a shocking turn of events, families of individuals affected by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel have filed a federal lawsuit against protest leaders and student organizations at Columbia University, accusing them of aiding and abetting terrorism. The lawsuit, submitted in Manhattan federal court, names Mahmoud Khalil, a central figure in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia, along with members of student groups such as Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace.
The plaintiffs include six relatives of current hostages still held in Gaza, as well as American IDF soldiers and former captives. They allege that the defendants served as a propaganda arm for Hamas in New York, using the Columbia campus to amplify the group’s messaging and stir unrest. The complaint describes the protest leaders as active participants in spreading Hamas ideology, asserting that their activities go far beyond free expression and into the realm of organized support for a designated terrorist organization, reports from The New York Post.
In addition to Khalil, the lawsuit names Nerdeen Kiswani of Within Our Lifetime–United for Palestine, Maryam Alwan of Columbia SJP, and Cameron Jones of Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace. These individuals are accused of distributing Hamas-related materials, encouraging violence, and leading disruptive actions such as the occupation of Hamilton Hall and the setup of protest encampments. The suit also alleges that these activists responded to Hamas’ public calls for global supporters to “join the battle in any way they can,” implying a direct link between campus actions and Hamas directives.
The newspaper writes that the defendants clearly had prior knowledge, according to the lawsuit, calling them the propaganda division of Hamas, a designated terrorist group.
It also goes as far as to suggest that some of the defendants had prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack because of the Columbia SJP’s inclusion in a signed statement supporting Hamas just hours before the massacre.
“Three minutes before Hamas began its attack on October 7, Columbia SJP posted on Instagram ‘We are back!!’ and announced its first meeting of the semester would be announced and that viewers should ‘Stay tuned,’” according to the suit.
The plaintiffs ultimately alleged that every time Hamas and its allies would put out a call for action on social media, the student groups would answer, with the encampment at Columbia’s campus and the Hamilton Hall takeover serving as prime examples.
The suit argues that the defendants are not protected under the constitutional right to free speech and protest, claiming their actions were coordinated with a foreign terrorist group.
I think this is likely the most explosive detail in the entire complaint. Three minutes BEFORE the start of the Oct 7th attack (approximately midnight NY time), Columbia SJP activated its months-dormant Instagram account. https://t.co/saSAWBVFAd pic.twitter.com/KbdU2xR2yO
— daniela (@daniela__127) March 25, 2025
Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. green card holder, is currently under an investigation by the Department of Justice for allegedly failing to disclose prior ties to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees on his visa application, a move that could justify his deportation.
The federal government lodged new accusations against Khalil over the weekend, noted The National Review, arguing the key omissions are grounds for deportation.
“It is black-letter law that misrepresentations in this context are not protected speech,” the DOJ’s court filing stated. “Thus, Khalil’s First Amendment allegations are a red herring, and there is an independent basis to justify removal sufficient to foreclose Khalil’s constitutional claim here.”
The magazine wrote, “Khalil allegedly failed to disclose his employment at UNRWA, which lasted from June to November 2023. His job title was political affairs officer, but an UNRWA spokesperson told CNN that he was only an unpaid intern and never on staff.
Notably, his short time at the controversial humanitarian agency overlapped with Hamas’s massacre on October 7, 2023. Some UNRWA staffers have been accused of participating in the terrorist attack on Israel. As a result, the Biden administration banned federal funding to the organization for one year, before President Donald Trump ordered an end to U.S. participation in UNRWA last month.
Khalil entered the U.S. on a student visa in December 2022 and obtained his green card in November 2024, according to the DOJ. He was arrested earlier this month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for his anti-Israel, pro-Hamas activism during post-October 7 protests at Columbia.
The DOJ also alleged Khalil, a Syrian native and Algerian citizen, did not disclose his continuing employment at the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, at the time of his green card application. Additionally, he failed to mention he was a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, the anti-Israel group that organized numerous antisemitic protests at the New York school.”
Democrats have, of course, defended the alleged Hamas propagandist. “House Democrats and dozens of supporters were outside Capitol Hill on Tuesday morning to push for the release of former Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil,” explained ABC 7, a local station in New York.
“Mahmoud is a dedicated father, husband friend and community leader. He deserves to be home preparing for the arrival of his child,” said Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez on Tuesday.
“For the freedom of speech, we must free Mahmoud Khalil. For the freedom of assembly, we must free Mahmoud Khalil. For the founders of this country and the framers of our constitution, we must free Mahmoud Khalil,” said Texas Rep. Greg Casar.
Over the past year, many have been shocked at the blatant antisemitism and support for terrorism that has engulfed the Democratic Party. Both Former President Joe Biden and the newest heir apparant to Bernie Sanders, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both backed Khalil’s protests at certain points last year.
Representatives for the defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit.
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