By International Workers’ Unity – Fourth International
Trump’s ICE arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Falsely accusing him of being anti-Semitic and of supporting “terrorism.” Trump assured that the arrest of the pro-Palestinian leader of Columbia University is “the first of many.”
Trump’s repressive policies culminated in this arrest of activists opposing the Gaza genocide. Marco Rubio similarly declared that “we will revoke the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in the United States and deport them.”
On January 21, a group of activists paralyzed the teaching of the “History of Modern Israel” course at Bernard College. Between the 6th and the 8th, demonstrations, sit-ins and other actions were held at Columbia University in New York City to reject the sanctions and repression of students at universities by university authorities. Mahmoud Khalil is now being persecuted by the Trump government and detained for deportation as a way of intimidating and teaching those who fight. This is something that is completely unacceptable and we will not allow it to happen.
Donald Trump is Netanyahu’s dominant partner. His far-right and fascist project was expressed in the Yankee proposal to displace the population of over 2 million Gazans to Arab countries to build a tourist and real estate development called “The Riviera of the Middle East” that was promoted in a scandalous video on social media. Trump thus joins Netanyahu and Zionism’s racist policy of ethnic cleansing.
The global mobilisation of solidarity and Palestinian resistance had its first triumphs with the ceasefire. Israel was hit and saw its policy fail and has withdrawn from Gaza without controlling the territory while millions heroically return to the devastated north of Gaza. Faced with this, Netanyahu began brutal attacks in the West Bank, demonstrating that he will not stop in his plan.
IWU-FI urges global student, trade union, and political organisations to oppose Trump’s repression, demand Khalil’s freedom, and call for the acquittal of all activists.
Free Mahmoud Khalil now! Let’s sign the petition for his freedom! Acquittal and dismissal of the fighters! No more sanctions from university authorities! Long live the resistance of the Palestinian people and global solidarity! For the breaking of economic, diplomatic, academic, and political relations with the genocidal State of Israel by all governments! For a unique, secular, democratic, and non-racist Palestine!
International Workers’ Unity – Fourth International (IWU-FI)
10 March 2024