Protester Refuses to Condemn Hamas During CNN Interview

During a tense interview on CNN, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil declined to explicitly condemn Hamas, describing such questions as “disingenuous” and hypocritical. Khalil, known for his outspoken stance and previous detention over protests at Columbia University, was repeatedly asked whether he denounces Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S.

When pressed by co-anchor Pamela Brown about condemning Hamas’s actions, Khalil responded, “I condemn the killing of all civilians, full stop,” but refused to specifically denounce Hamas itself. He characterized the questioning as “selective outrage,” criticizing it as hypocritical given the current suffering of Palestinians, highlighting casualties from Israel prior to October 7.

Khalil refused to condemn Hamas after being asked multiple times.

Khalil explained that his stance is rooted in his opposition to the violence against civilians, asserting: “I hаte this selective outrage because it doesn’t lead to constructive dialogue.” He emphasized his protest against the war in Gaza as a humanitarian duty and a call for the cessation of violence, aligning with his belief in international law and human rights.

During the interview, Khalil was notably flustered and called the questions “absurd,” refraining from any condemnation of Hamas. He reiterated his position that condemning civilians in general is essential, and criticized the focus on Hamas specifically as hypocritical.

Previously, Khalil was detained for 104 days in Louisiana by federal authorities, who alleged his activities were aligned with Hamas. He is currently suing the U.S. government for $20 million, claiming wrongful imprisonment and defamation. Following the interview, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement labeling Khalil as a “terrorist sympathizer,” asserting that he supports violence and promotes terrorist groups.