Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil refused to condemn Hamas during a CNN interview on Tuesday, despite repeated questioning from anchor Pamela Brown. Khalil, previously detained by the Trump administration for pro-Hamas-aligned protests, dismissed the inquiry as “disingenuous” and accused Israel of targeting civilians.
Brown pressed Khalil to disavow Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, asking, “Do you specifically condemn Hamas… not just for their actions on October 7?” Khalil responded only with a general statement condemning the killing of “all civilians,” refusing to single out Hamas.
When asked again, Khalil reiterated his stance and accused the media of selective outrage. “It’s disingenuous to ask about condemning Hamas while Palestinians are being starved now by Israel,” he said, claiming Israeli forces killed over 260 Palestinians before the October 7 attacks.
Khalil was detained in March by federal immigration authorities for alleged visa fraud and failure to disclose prior employment with the UNRWA, which lost U.S. funding after it was revealed some employees took part in the October 7 massacre in Israel. Khalil had also been accused by the Trump administration of expressing open sympathy for Hamas during campus demonstrations.
During the CNN segment, Khalil framed his activism as a response to the war in Gaza, calling it his duty “as a Palestinian.” He defended his refusal to answer, saying, “Selective condemnations… wouldn’t get us anywhere. It’s just like hypocrite, to be honest.”
Khalil is now suing the U.S. government for $20 million over what he calls false imprisonment. The Department of Homeland Security responded after the interview, stating on X: “Mahmoud Khalil refuses to condemn Hamas because he IS a terrorist sympathizer.” DHS said the Trump administration acted within its legal authority to detain Khalil, citing his public support for terrorist organizations, anti-Semitic rhetoric, and property damage.
