Activist 'Threat' to US Interests Re-Arrested, Not the War Profiteers?
A US appeals court overturned a ruling releasing pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, paving the way for his potential re-arrest because he 'allegedly posed a threat to US foreign policy interests.' (Source: Al-Monitor). Khalil, a legal resident married to a US citizen, was initially detained for three months, prompting questions about how advocating for human rights suddenly becomes a
national security concern. It seems 'US foreign policy interests' are so fragile they can be threatened by a single individual's speech, but somehow withstand the repeated, documented Israeli demolitions of US-funded projects and the killing of US citizens by Israeli forces. One might wonder if the 'US interests' in question are less about national security and more about protecting powerful
lobbying groups, like AIPAC, who poured over $23 million into congressional races in 2022 to ensure unwavering legislative support for Israel. These 'threats' — to funding streams and political careers — seem to hold more sway than actual threats to peace or human rights. Perhaps the definition of 'threat' has broadened to include anyone daring to speak truth to power, especially when that power
is bankrolled by foreign interests.