Mohsen Mahdawi on His ICE Detention and Justice in Palestine
In April, Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi was held in detention by ICE for over two weeks despite not being charged with a crime. He speaks to Jacobin about his early life, his incarceration, and why he’s actually optimistic about the prospects for peace.
Mohsen Mahdawi speaks at a protest on the Columbia University campus, on November 9, 2023 in New York City. (Mukta Joshi / Getty Images)
Since October 7, 2023, Mohsen Mahdawi has been central to the Columbia University protest movement against Israel’s bombardment, calling for a ceasefire, and advocating for nonviolent resistance. On April 14, he was kidnapped by ICE at an appointment to apply for US citizenship in Vermont. He was released on April 30, with Judge Geoffrey Crawford saying “the two weeks of detention so far demonstrate great harm to a person who has been charged with no crime.”
His illegal detention is part of a broader trend of ICE targeting left-wing activists, especially those active in the Palestinian solidarity movement. In this interview, he tells Jacobin about his childhood in a Palestinian refugee camp, his time in prison, and his determination to continue in his activism.
Sam Stein
Tell me about your background. What led from your childhood in Palestine and your upbringing to you going to Columbia?
Mohsen Mahdawi
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