A group of pro-Palestinian student activists has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging the institution failed to protect them from persistent harassment tied to their advocacy. The complaint, submitted in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, accuses the Ivy League school of violating federal civil rights laws by not addressing threats, doxxing, and other forms of abuse directed at students due to their perceived Arab or Muslim identity or their support for Palestinian rights.
The suit names Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian student and lawful permanent resident, as a plaintiff alongside the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Palestine Working Group and its president, Mohammad Zubairi. Khalil gained national attention in March 2025 when U.S. immigration authorities arrested him in the lobby of his university residence, a move that sparked controversy given his lawful status and the absence of any criminal charges.
According to the lawsuit, harassment against Khalil and other students escalated beginning in early 2023, prior to the outbreak of renewed conflict in Gaza. Plaintiffs contend that Columbia responded not with support or investigation but by characterizing pro-Palestinian demonstrations as security threats. They further allege that the university amended its policies to discourage and penalize criticism of Israel’s government or military actions on campus, effectively limiting free expression on this issue.
At a press conference announcing the suit, Khalil described the university’s handling of the situation as indicative of a “rotten, institutionalised anti-Palestinian bigotry” permeating various departments and endorsed by the university’s board of trustees. He emphasized that the litigation aims to hold Columbia accountable for sustaining an environment hostile to students based on their views and backgrounds.
The legal action highlights ongoing tensions on Columbia’s campus surrounding debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have led to heightened security measures. Notably, the university has kept its main pedestrian walkway closed for nearly three years in an effort to balance safety concerns with maintaining an open campus atmosphere.
Columbia University has not released a formal statement regarding the lawsuit. The case adds to a broader conversation nationwide about the limits of free speech on college campuses and the responsibilities of institutions to protect students from discrimination while preserving open discourse.