Full Breakdown
Columbia University Sued Over Alleged “Deliberate Indifference” to Pro-Palestinian Harassment
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 14, 2026, Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and members of the Palestine Working Group (PWG) filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit in Manhattan. The complaint accuses Columbia University, its Board of Trustees, and SIPA dean Keren Yarhi-Milo of “deliberate indifference” to “severe, persistent, and coordinated harassment” directed at pro-Palestinian students because of their advocacy, perceived Arab or Muslim ancestry, and non-citizen status. The suit seeks injunctive relief to reinstate PWG, end discriminatory disciplinary practices, and monetary damages.
Background & Context
Pro-Palestinian protests erupted across U.S. campuses in spring 2024, prompting Columbia to close its central pedestrian walkway for nearly three years while attempting to balance safety and openness. The university classified on-campus criticism of Israel as a “security risk” and suspended PWG in May 2025. These actions occurred amid national debates over free speech, antisemitism accusations, and a federal investigation that later resulted in a $200 million settlement with the U.S. government over alleged Title VI violations.
Key Figures
- Mahmoud Khalil — former SIPA graduate student and activist.
- Mohammad Zubairi — President of PWG, co-plaintiff.
- Keren Yarhi-Milo — Dean of SIPA, named defendant.
- Jennifer Mnookin — Columbia president, referenced in plaintiff statements.
- Brittany Finley — Attorney for the plaintiffs.
Timeline
- Spring 2024 – Student-led pro-Palestinian encampments begin on Columbia’s campus.
- May 2025 – Columbia suspends PWG indefinitely.
- March 8 2025 – Khalil is arrested by ICE at his Columbia apartment and held for 104 days in Louisiana.
- June 2025 – Khalil is released but faces deportation proceedings.
- September 14 2026 – Lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York.
Data & Statistics
- 104 days of ICE detention for Khalil, during which he missed the birth of his first child.
- PWG was founded in 2018; the complaint alleges harassment of its members since that time.
- The 2024 encampment movement involved “dozens” of campuses, according to multiple reports.
Official Statements & Responses
Columbia declined to comment on the pending litigation. Spokeswoman Samantha Slater reiterated the policy: “Creating a campus environment where every member of our community feels welcome, supported and safe is fundamental to who we are as a university.”
On-the-Ground Reports
The complaint details doxxing of personal information via online postings and mobile billboard trucks, threats targeting Khalil’s immigration status, and repeated requests for university protection that plaintiffs say were ignored. Plaintiffs also allege that Columbia called PWG a “hostile group” and used disciplinary proceedings to suppress its activities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources uniformly describe the lawsuit’s allegations and Columbia’s general statement. No source provides independent verification of internal investigations or the extent of disciplinary actions beyond the suspension of PWG. The precise role of the Office of Institutional Equity, described by some plaintiffs as “Gestapo-like,” is not corroborated by university documentation.
What’s Next
The plaintiffs seek a court order restoring PWG’s operations, mandating nondiscriminatory treatment of pro-Palestinian students, and awarding damages. Columbia’s legal response is pending. The case may intersect with ongoing federal investigations into campus antisemitism and Title VI compliance, but no specific hearing dates are disclosed.