Report: Anti-Israel Activist Released by Obama-Appointed Judge Likes to ‘Kill Jews’

| Published May 3, 2025

Mohsen Mahdawi, a 34-year-old Palestinian student at Columbia University and U.S. permanent resident, was released from federal custody after a Vermont judge ruled his detention likely violated his First Amendment rights. Mahdawi had been arrested by immigration authorities during a naturalization interview on April 14, 2025, amid a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activists.

The U.S. government sought his deportation under a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, citing national security concerns. Court documents revealed that in 2015, a Vermont gun store owner and a museum volunteer alleged Mahdawi expressed a desire to “kill Jews” and claimed experience in building weapons for that purpose. Mahdawi denied these allegations, stating the FBI closed its investigation after his explanations.

U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford, appointed in 2014, criticized the government’s actions, likening them to McCarthy-era tactics. He emphasized that Mahdawi’s political activism, including organizing pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, was protected speech. The judge ordered Mahdawi’s release, allowing him to return to New York for academic and legal matters while his immigration case proceeds.

Upon release, Mahdawi expressed defiance, stating, “I am not afraid of you,” directed at President Trump and his administration. His case has drawn national attention, highlighting tensions between national security measures and free speech rights, especially concerning student activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The release of Mohsen Mahdawi—an anti-Israel activist and Columbia University student accused of making violent statements about Jews—has far-reaching implications across legal, political, and national security lines:

1. Legal and Constitutional Implications

• Free Speech vs. National Security: The case tests the boundaries of First Amendment protections, especially regarding inflammatory or violent rhetoric tied to political activism. The judge ruled in favor of free speech, even amid serious allegations.

• Precedent Setting: This may embolden future legal defenses for individuals involved in controversial or extremist political speech, especially on college campuses.

2. Immigration Policy Concerns

• Selective Enforcement Criticism: The Biden administration’s ICE actions (initiated under Trump-era policies) to detain Mahdawi may be seen as politically motivated, sparking criticism from civil liberties groups.

• Risk of Weaponized Immigration Law: The government attempted to use a rarely enforced immigration clause tied to national security, raising concerns over potential misuse of such laws to target political dissidents.

3. National Security and Public Safety

• Alleged Past Extremism: If the 2015 allegations are true (claims that Mahdawi said he “used to kill Jews” and built weapons), critics argue his release poses a security risk, regardless of his current legal status or academic position.

• Concerns About Campus Radicalization: The case may add fuel to growing fears about radical ideologies spreading in academic institutions, especially those involving anti-Semitism disguised as activism.

4. Political and Cultural Fallout

• Polarization Intensified: The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing Israel-Palestine debate in the U.S., especially on campuses. It may galvanize both pro-Palestinian activists and pro-Israel watchdog groups.

• Criticism of the Judiciary: The judge’s Obama-era appointment is being emphasized in right-leaning media, raising claims of ideological bias in judicial decisions related to national security.

5. Institutional Impact

• Pressure on Columbia University: The university could face reputational risk, internal backlash, and donor pressure for hosting a student associated with violent rhetoric.

• Increased Scrutiny of Student Visas: Expect heightened background checks and monitoring of foreign students, especially from regions tied to political violence.

Overall Takeaway:
The case of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student accused of making violent anti-Semitic statements, underscores the ongoing tensions between free speech rights and national security concerns. Conservative perspectives on the matter emphasize the potential threat posed by individuals with extremist rhetoric, even in academic settings, and criticize the judicial ruling that allowed Mahdawi’s release. This situation also highlights the broader debate over immigration enforcement and how political activism—especially related to the Israel-Palestine conflict—can shape national security policies. The case is a flashpoint for discussions about free speech, campus activism, and the limits of judicial power in national security matters.

SOURCES: BREITBART – Report: Anti-Israel Activist Released by Obama-Appointed Judge Likes to ‘Kill Jews’

THE NEW YORK POST – Freed Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi accused of telling gun shop owner that he used to ‘kill Jews’ in Palestine: court docs

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – Judge Releases Columbia Student, Comparing Detention Threats to Red Scare

STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – Columbia University student activist detained by ICE freed by judge’s order