When Student Activism Crosses the Line: Columbia Protesters Sued for Alleged Ties to Hamas

What happens when student activism turns into something darker—something that aligns with terrorist organizations, incites violence, and leaves Jewish students in fear on their own campus?

This week, a groundbreaking federal lawsuit is forcing that question into the spotlight. Filed by families of the victims and hostages of the October 7 Hamas terror attack, the suit directly names four individuals and several Columbia University student groups, accusing them of aiding and abetting international terrorism.

Let that sink in.

This isn’t just about slogans on posters or heated protests. The plaintiffs are accusing Mahmoud Khalil, Nerdeen Kiswani, Maryam Alwan, and Cameron Jones of acting in coordination with Hamas—a designated terrorist group responsible for murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 more on October 7.

And if the details of the lawsuit are true, these individuals weren’t just bystanders—they were part of the machinery that fueled the hate.

Who Are the Accused?

The lawsuit outlines a disturbing network of individuals who allegedly turned Columbia’s campus into a propaganda hub for Hamas.

Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in Columbia Apartheid Divest and believed to be the informal leader of both SJP and JVP at Columbia, is accused of organizing violent protests, spreading Hamas propaganda, and even assaulting Jewish students and university staff. The DOJ is now moving to deport him for allegedly lying on immigration forms about his ties to a controversial UN agency.

Nerdeen Kiswani, head of the group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), is accused of leading the loudest support for Hamas in New York. The lawsuit claims she distributed materials stamped with the Hamas media office logo and may have had prior knowledge of the October 7 attack based on her group’s activity right before the massacre.

Maryam Alwan of Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine is similarly accused of supporting Hamas through propaganda and suspiciously timed statements.

Cameron Jones of Jewish Voice for Peace is also named for helping spread Hamas-aligned messaging under the guise of peace advocacy.

These aren’t fringe actors. These are the people who’ve been organizing events, leading chants, and shaping the narrative around Israel and Palestine on one of America’s most influential campuses.

The Campus Events That Raised Red Flags

The lawsuit doesn’t hold back. It highlights several shocking incidents:

• Hamas pamphlets were allegedly distributed at Columbia protests.

• Just three minutes before the October 7 massacre, Columbia SJP posted “We’re back!!” on Instagram—an eerie coincidence the plaintiffs see as more than that.

• After the attack, protests glorifying Hamas were organized on campus.

• Jewish students reported being assaulted and terrorized during these rallies.

• Protesters seized buildings like Hamilton Hall and disrupted Barnard classes—all while pushing Hamas’ message.

It paints a picture of student groups not merely expressing dissent, but actively operating as propaganda arms of a terrorist organization.

Why This Lawsuit Matters

This lawsuit could be a watershed moment—not just for Columbia, but for how universities across America handle radical campus groups.

For months, Protect Our Campus has warned that antisemitic violence is being tolerated and even celebrated under the guise of “liberation movements.” Now, victims’ families are demanding accountability.

If these accusations are proven, this isn’t just a moral failure. It’s a legal one.

Free speech doesn’t protect coordination with terrorist groups. And universities can no longer hide behind academic freedom to avoid hard truths about what’s happening on their campuses.

What Comes Next

The lawsuit seeks damages, accountability, and recognition of the pain Jewish families have endured—not just in Israel, but here in America, where Hamas’ supporters marched through our cities and stormed our campuses.

It’s also a wake-up call to Columbia University: if you allow hate to take root, don’t be surprised when it grows into something you can no longer control.

Protect Our Campus will continue to monitor this case—and support the brave families demanding justice.

This isn’t over. It’s just beginning.