Synopsis
On March 14, approximately 100 Jewish activists protested at Trump Tower, leading to arrests. They demanded the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and pro-Palestine activist targeted for deportation by Trump. Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, the protest highlighted diverse Jewish views on Israel and Palestine.Key Takeaways
- 100 Jewish activists arrested at Trump Tower.
- Protests demand release of Mahmoud Khalil.
- Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace.
- Protests highlight divisions in Jewish political views.
- Khalil is challenging his deportation in court.
New York, March 14 (NationPress) Approximately 100 Jewish activists have been taken into custody after staging a protest at the renowned Trump Tower, advocating for the release of a green card holder and pro-Palestine activist targeted for deportation by President Donald Trump.
According to New York Police Chief John Chell, 98 individuals were arrested when they chose to remain in the building on Thursday, while hundreds of other demonstrators exited.
The demonstration was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, a group comprised of individuals from the Jewish community who challenge Israel's policies and champion coexistence with Palestinians.
Adorned with T-shirts proclaiming, “Not in Our Name” and “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel,” the protesters also displayed banners reading, “Free Mahmoud, Free Palestine.”
The individual at the center of the protest, Mahmoud Khalil, is the activist facing deportation.
In a related development, the Trump administration has exerted pressure on Columbia University regarding pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas protests, leading to the expulsion of certain students involved in last year's protests led by Khalil.
The administration also declared an end to a $400 million funding arrangement with the university, citing its failure to address anti-Semitism.
The occupation of Trump Tower occurred on the sixth day of demonstrations protesting Khalil's detention, who previously led protests at Columbia University and was involved in similar actions at Barnard College last week.
As a green card holder, Khalil cannot be simply deported; he must first have his permanent resident status revoked.
Initially a graduate student at the Ivy League institution, Khalil's student visa was reportedly canceled, but later it was revealed he holds a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen.
Khalil is currently detained in Louisiana.
A lawsuit has been filed on his behalf in federal court challenging his arrest and deportation, with a judge temporarily halting his deportation but allowing the government to continue holding him.
The Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of engaging in “activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization,” stating he was arrested “in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.”
His legal team and various human rights organizations contend that the government is retaliating against him, violating his Constitutional right to free speech.
Khalil has not been directly accused of supporting Hamas, the Palestinian group that launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 hostages taken.
The protests at Columbia and other universities across the U.S. have called for an end to Israel's retaliatory measures in Gaza, which have led to around 45,000 deaths.
Some protests have unfortunately devolved into anti-Semitism, with incidents targeting Jewish students and educators.
In response to allegations of retaliation against Khalil, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “This is not about free speech. This is about people that don’t have a right to be in the United States, to begin with.”
“No one has a right to a green card,” he added.
Trump continues to maintain a residence in the 58-story Trump Tower, which he occasionally uses during visits to the city.
It remains one of the few buildings in New York still displaying his name, amidst pushback from residents who have removed his name from other structures in protest of his policies.
The protesters managed to enter the heavily secured building by concealing their slogan-emblazoned T-shirts and approaching in small groups to the public areas on the lower floors.
Jewish perspectives on political issues are diverse, with a significant segment advocating for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution.
There are also Jewish fundamentalist factions, often referred to as “ultra-orthodox” in U.S. media, who oppose Israel based on their biblical interpretations and partake in anti-Israel demonstrations, attired in their characteristic black coats and hats.
