Activist Khalil’s Wife Dismisses Hamas Allegations
Activist Khalil’s detention by US authorities has sparked controversy, with his wife calling accusations that he supports Hamas “ridiculous and disgusting.” Noor Abdalla, the wife of detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, has strongly refuted claims made by the Trump administration, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking to CBS, Abdalla expressed her disbelief over allegations that her husband was distributing Hamas flyers at Columbia University. The US government has yet to provide any concrete evidence supporting the claim. She criticized the move as an attempt to vilify Khalil and justify his detention, calling it a tactic to silence his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8. He is being held in Louisiana as part of President Trump’s broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on American campuses. The administration has sought to deport him using an obscure immigration law that allows removal if a non-citizen is deemed to have “adverse foreign policy consequences.”
Activist Khalil Calls His Detention Political Repression
Khalil has publicly stated that his detention is politically motivated and an attack on free speech. He was a leading voice in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University last year, serving as a spokesperson for student activists who condemned Israel’s war on Gaza. His involvement made him a target for Trump’s administration, which has labeled student protesters as “pro-terrorist and anti-American,” though no supporting evidence has been presented.
A US district judge in New York temporarily halted Khalil’s deportation on March 10 and later extended the prohibition. Legal experts argue that his case sets a dangerous precedent for political repression under the guise of immigration enforcement.
His wife, Abdalla, tearfully recounted the discrimination they have faced as Muslims in the US, stating that people assume the worst about them regardless of their actions. She revealed that someone called her a “terrorist” while she was walking with her husband in New York, an experience she believes many Muslims in America can relate to.
Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over Activist Khalil’s Case
The Trump administration’s aggressive stance against student protesters has drawn widespread criticism. Civil rights groups and legal experts warn that Khalil’s case reflects a broader pattern of suppression aimed at those who challenge US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine.
Activist Khalil’s legal team argues that his green card status as a lawful permanent resident should protect him from deportation. However, the government’s reliance on an obscure immigration provision has raised concerns about due process violations and political bias in law enforcement.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 113,000 wounded. Khalil’s wife emphasized that his activism stems from a deep desire to see an end to the suffering of innocent civilians, not from any extremist ideology.
Calls for Justice Grow as Activist Khalil’s Future Remains Uncertain
As legal battles continue, activists and human rights organizations have rallied behind Khalil, demanding his release and an end to politically motivated deportations. Protests have erupted in major US cities, with demonstrators arguing that his case is emblematic of the increasing crackdown on dissent under Trump’s leadership.
Khalil’s supporters maintain that his activism aligns with democratic principles and the right to free speech. They insist that opposing Israel’s policies does not equate to supporting terrorism and warn that conflating the two threatens the foundations of American democracy.
With the court’s intervention delaying his deportation, the fight for activist Khalil’s freedom continues. His wife remains hopeful but fears that the Trump administration’s determination to silence Palestinian advocacy could still lead to his removal. As pressure mounts, legal experts argue that his case will test the limits of political expression and immigration law in the US.
