Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and retaliation
Palestinian activist claims university's 'deliberate indifference' led to doxing and his detention.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

FILE - Mahmoud Khalil speaks during a news conference in New York, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Photograph: WKMG (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia University, alleging the institution failed to address harassment and retaliated against pro-Palestinian students.
- The lawsuit claims the university's "deliberate indifference" led to the doxing of group members and Khalil's detention by immigration agents.
- Khalil, who spent 104 days in immigration jail, is seeking restoration of his campus access and an end to his group's suspension.
- The case was filed in federal court in New York City.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 84 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 10 of the 94 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
42/100
Craft
61/100
Hype
20/100
94 sources · methodology
Missing from the right
Only 25 of the 84 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated right.
A reader who follows the right would not have seen this. We report the absence rather than explain it: outlets choose what to cover for many reasons, and we have no evidence about which one applies here.
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Columbia University. He alleges the university failed to address harassment against him and other members of a pro-Palestinian campus group, and retaliated against them when they reported these issues. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, claims the university's "deliberate indifference" resulted in the doxing of multiple group members and Khalil's subsequent detention by immigration agents.
Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia and a spokesperson for student activists protesting Israel's actions in Gaza, stated at a news conference that the university's actions constituted "discrimination aimed at intimidating Palestinian students." He is seeking a court order to restore his campus access and end the suspension of the pro-Palestinian group. Khalil spent 104 days in an immigration jail, and his deportation case remains active.
Disagreement on university response
The lawsuit states that Columbia "refused to correct disinformation" about Khalil while he was detained, allowing a false narrative to persist and enabling peer-on-peer harassment. It also claims the university characterized events by the pro-Palestinian group as security risks and revised disciplinary policy to target criticism of the Israeli government. The university declined to comment on the lawsuit but issued a statement affirming its commitment to creating a safe and welcoming campus environment, free from discrimination and harassment.
What the coverage left out
None of the left or centre-rated reports printed below mention the specific amount of damages Mahmoud Khalil is seeking in his lawsuit, stating only that they are "to be determined at trial."
Coverage settled. We checked this 22 times and stopped on 20 Sept 2026, 03:45. The figures above are what it finished at.
How other outlets pictured it
Which photograph to run is each newsroom’s own choice. The leaning beside a name is that outlet’s published rating, not a claim that the pictures divide along it. Every picture is shown from the outlet’s own server and links to the article it ran in.

Campus Protest Mahmoud Khalil
Daily Journal — embedded from source
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
33 rated outlets
- Twelve left‑rated outlets ran a digest about Mahmoud Khalil’s federal lawsuit against Columbia University. All digests led with the claim that Khalil, a Palestinian activist, alleges the university failed to protect him and other members of a pro‑Palestinian campus group.
- Several digests added that the suit accuses Columbia of deliberate indifference, noting that the university allegedly refused to correct disinformation about Khalil and retaliated against activists who reported harassment, including claims of doxing. The Washington Sun, ABC News, Bangor Daily News and The Daily Advance included these extra allegations.
- None of the left‑rated digests reproduced a response from Columbia University or quoted university officials. They also omitted any discussion of potential monetary damages or settlement figures, focusing solely on the allegations and the activist’s perspective.
Centre
26 rated outlets
- Centre-rated reports focused on Mahmoud Khalil suing Columbia University for failing to protect pro-Palestinian activists. They consistently reported that the university's "deliberate indifference" led to the doxing of group members and Khalil's detention by immigration agents. These reports also included Khalil's statement that the university failed to address harassment and retaliated against the group when they reported it. The university's statement about its commitment to a safe campus environment was also noted.
Right
25 rated outlets
- Right-rated outlets reported that Mahmoud Khalil sued Columbia University. The digests stated he alleged the university failed to address harassment against him and other pro-Palestinian activists. They also reported the university showed deliberate indifference and retaliated against those who reported incidents.
- Some digests mentioned Khalil said the university exhibited "institutionalized anti-Palestinian bigotry." One digest noted Khalil was arrested by US immigration agents in March 2025. Another digest stated the lawsuit followed Khalil helping to organize a student encampment protesting the war in Gaza.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and…?
- Of the 84 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 45% are rated left, 23% are rated centre, 32% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 94. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and… left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 84 rated outlets on this story, 45% are rated left, 23% are rated centre, 32% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and… biased?
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and retaliation is one event reported by 94 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and…?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated right had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged harassment and…?
- 94 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- Why is Mahmoud Khalil suing Columbia University?
- Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia University alleging it failed to address harassment against him and other pro-Palestinian students and retaliated against them when they reported it. He claims the university's "deliberate indifference" led to doxing and his detention by immigration agents.
- What does the lawsuit ask for?
- The lawsuit requests a court order to restore Mahmoud Khalil's campus access and to end the suspension of the pro-Palestinian group he is associated with. It also seeks damages to be determined at trial.
- What happened to Mahmoud Khalil after his detention?
- Mahmoud Khalil spent 104 days in an immigration jail following his detention. His deportation case remains active, and he missed the birth of his first child during his time in detention.
Read it at the source
94 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
33- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing ‘hostile environment’ for pro-Palestinian students (opens The Forward in a new tab)
The Forward — is The Forward biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University Over Persistent Anti-Palestinian Discrimination (opens Drop Site News in a new tab)
Drop Site News — is Drop Site News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing ‘hostile environment’ for pro-Palestinian students (opens Jewish Telegraphic Agency in a new tab)
Jewish Telegraphic Agency — is Jewish Telegraphic Agency biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Khalil Accuses Columbia of Discrimination in New Lawsuit (opens Inside Higher Ed in a new tab)
Inside Higher Ed — is Inside Higher Ed biased? Our profile of this outlet
- The Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil Is Suing Columbia University for Ignoring Harassment. (opens aljazeera.net in a new tab)
aljazeera.net — is aljazeera.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Activists sue Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens Haaretz in a new tab)
- ‘Columbia did not care’: Mahmoud Khalil files lawsuit against University (opens Indian Express in a new tab)
Indian Express — is Indian Express biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens Al-Monitor in a new tab)
Al-Monitor — is Al-Monitor biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 25 more
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia University failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens PBS NewsHour in a new tab)
PBS NewsHour — is PBS NewsHour biased? Our profile of this outlet
- ‘Columbia did not care’: Mahmoud Khalil files discrimination lawsuit (opens Al Jazeera in a new tab)
Al Jazeera — is Al Jazeera biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University for allowing harassment that led to his ICE arrest (opens Middle East Eye in a new tab)
Middle East Eye — is Middle East Eye biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia over alleged treatment of pro-Palestinian activists (opens Gothamist in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Los Angeles Times in a new tab)
Los Angeles Times — is Los Angeles Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Times-Tribune in a new tab)
The Times-Tribune — is The Times-Tribune biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Kokomo Tribune in a new tab)
Kokomo Tribune — is Kokomo Tribune biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens McAlester News-Capital in a new tab)
McAlester News-Capital — is McAlester News-Capital biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Daily Star in a new tab)
The Daily Star — is The Daily Star biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia Over Its Treatment of Pro-Palestinian Activists (opens washingtonsun.com in a new tab)
washingtonsun.com — is washingtonsun.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for showing 'deliberate indifference' to harassment (opens ABC News in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil files lawsuit accusing Columbia of failing to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens NY Daily News in a new tab)
NY Daily News — is NY Daily News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Richmond Register in a new tab)
Richmond Register — is Richmond Register biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Independent (US) in a new tab)
The Independent (US) — is The Independent (US) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Bangor Daily News in a new tab)
Bangor Daily News — is Bangor Daily News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Associated Press News in a new tab)
Associated Press News — is Associated Press News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia over ‘shocking’ disregard for safety of Palestinian students (opens Courthouse News Service in a new tab)
Courthouse News Service — is Courthouse News Service biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens NBC New York in a new tab)
NBC New York — is NBC New York biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens St Catharines Standard in a new tab)
St Catharines Standard — is St Catharines Standard biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Hamilton Spectator in a new tab)
The Hamilton Spectator — is The Hamilton Spectator biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Record in a new tab)
The Record — is The Record biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University (opens The New Republic in a new tab)
The New Republic — is The New Republic biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Durango Herald in a new tab)
Durango Herald — is Durango Herald biased? Our profile of this outlet
Centre
26- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University, claims it failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens CBS News in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil calls out Columbia's "institutionalized anti-Palestinian bigotry" as he announces new lawsuit (opens TAG24 in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens Hawaii Tribune-Herald in a new tab)
Hawaii Tribune-Herald — is Hawaii Tribune-Herald biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens Jerusalem Post in a new tab)
Jerusalem Post — is Jerusalem Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over failure to protect Palestinian students (opens TRT World in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia, accusing it of ‘indifference’ to harassment of pro-Palestinian protesters (opens The Hill in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists – WTOP News (opens Washington Top News in a new tab)
Washington Top News — is Washington Top News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- ‘Columbia Did Not Care’: Mahmoud Khalil Files Doxxing Lawsuit Against University (opens Forbes in a new tab)
Show 18 more
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens My Mother Lode in a new tab)
My Mother Lode — is My Mother Lode biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists - Boston News, Weather, Sports (opens WHDH in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Weatherford Democrat in a new tab)
Weatherford Democrat — is Weatherford Democrat biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Northern Virginia Daily in a new tab)
The Northern Virginia Daily — is The Northern Virginia Daily biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens KULR-TV in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens LancasterOnline in a new tab)
LancasterOnline — is LancasterOnline biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Yakima Herald-Republic in a new tab)
Yakima Herald-Republic — is Yakima Herald-Republic biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Joplin Globe in a new tab)
Joplin Globe — is Joplin Globe biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Record in a new tab)
The Record
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian (opens WBAL in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Newsday in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Daily Advance in a new tab)
The Daily Advance — is The Daily Advance biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens WFMZ in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Daily Journal in a new tab)
Daily Journal — is Daily Journal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens WKMG in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens NY1 in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Winnipeg Free Press in a new tab)
Winnipeg Free Press — is Winnipeg Free Press biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens WTVB in a new tab)
Right
25- Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia in a last-ditch effort to get protection from the system he wants to overthrow (opens New York Post in a new tab)
New York Post — is New York Post biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing ‘deliberate indifference’ to Palestinians (opens wfmd.com in a new tab)
- Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing 'deliberate indifference' to Palestinians – Democratic Accent (opens democraticaccent.com in a new tab)
democraticaccent.com — is democraticaccent.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing 'deliberate indifference' to Palestinians (opens Fox News in a new tab)
- Activist Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University (opens American Faith in a new tab)
American Faith — is American Faith biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University citing ‘hostile environment’ for pro-Palestinian students (opens Cleveland Jewish News in a new tab)
Cleveland Jewish News — is Cleveland Jewish News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil Suing Columbia for Allegedly Failing to Protect Anti-Israel Students (opens Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion in a new tab)
Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion — is Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia for Alleged Indifference to Harassment (opens The Epoch Times in a new tab)
The Epoch Times — is The Epoch Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 17 more
- Mahmoud Khalil turns around and sues Columbia — says school failed to protect him (opens Bizpac Review in a new tab)
Bizpac Review — is Bizpac Review biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil turns around and sues Columbia — says school failed to protect him · American Wire News (opens American Wire News in a new tab)
American Wire News — is American Wire News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia — for not protecting pro-Palestinian students from harassment - The Daily Bo Snerdley (opens thedailybs.com in a new tab)
thedailybs.com — is thedailybs.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University (opens WIN in a new tab)
- Lawsuit alleges Columbia indifference led to Khalil detention (opens Independent Journal Review in a new tab)
Independent Journal Review — is Independent Journal Review biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia over harassment of Palestinian Arab activists (opens Arutz Sheva in a new tab)
Arutz Sheva — is Arutz Sheva biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Columbia University Sued Over Failure To Protect Pro-Palestinian Students (opens NDTV in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens The Straits Times in a new tab)
The Straits Times — is The Straits Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Washington Times in a new tab)
Washington Times — is Washington Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Arab News in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia for Failing to Protect Him (or Something) (opens Hot Air in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil Lawsuit Says Columbia Failed To Protect Pro-Palestinian Activists (opens VINnews in a new tab)
- Pro-Palestinian Activist Sues Columbia University over 'Systematic Discrimination' (opens Anadolu Ajansı in a new tab)
Anadolu Ajansı — is Anadolu Ajansı biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens MY Northwest in a new tab)
MY Northwest — is MY Northwest biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil Now Suing Columbia for Showing Indifference to Harassment of Pro-Hamas Students (opens Twitchy in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for being indifferent to harassment of pro-Palestinian protesters (opens Just the News in a new tab)
Just the News — is Just the News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens Breitbart in a new tab)
Not rated
10- Columbia University Pro-Palestinian Students Accuse the School of Failing to Provide Protection. (opens 大纪元 Epoch Times in a new tab)
大纪元 Epoch Times — is 大纪元 Epoch Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil Lawsuit Says Columbia Failed To Protect Pro-Palestinian Activists (opens First Amendment Watch in a new tab)
First Amendment Watch — is First Amendment Watch biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Activist Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University Alleging Failure to Address Harrassment by Members of Pro-Palestinian Campus Group (opens News.law in a new tab)
- Pro-Palestinian Protester Sues University: "The Dean's Priority Has Always Been Israel" (opens וואלה! in a new tab)
וואלה!
- Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists (opens The Frontier Post in a new tab)
The Frontier Post — is The Frontier Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia for alleged failure to protect pro-Palestinian students (opens BizToc in a new tab)
- Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University and Accuses "Systematic Discrimination Against Palestinian Students (opens Mediafax in a new tab)
- Student Activist Mahmoud Khalil Is Suing Columbia University and Accusing Her of Condoning the Harassment of Solidarity with Palestine. (opens القدس العربي in a new tab)
القدس العربي
Show 2 more
- Palestinian Activist Sues U.S. University After ICE Detention (opens Noticias ao Minuto in a new tab)
Noticias ao Minuto — is Noticias ao Minuto biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Mahmoud Khalil to announce new federal lawsuit (opens The Digital Archive in a new tab)
The Digital Archive — is The Digital Archive biased? Our profile of this outlet
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