Pro-Palestinian Group Demands New York Probe Into Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

The Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgian pro-Palestinian organization, has formally requested the New York State Attorney General, Letitia James, to investigate Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This demand comes just days after the foundation filed a similar complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. The foundation's appeal coincides with Ben-Gvir's planned visit to New York on July 7 and 8, where he is expected to attend a police commanders' conference at the United Nations headquarters.

The foundation accuses Ben-Gvir, who assumed office in 2022, of orchestrating policies involving systematic torture, killings, abuse, and forced displacement of Palestinians, implicating Israeli prison services, police, and firearm licensing authorities. They argue that New York authorities have jurisdiction to investigate these alleged offenses under U.S. law and international treaties, emphasizing that the state should not serve as a safe haven for suspects of genocide and war crimes. Israeli officials categorically reject these allegations.

This is the second complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation against Ben-Gvir within a week. Earlier, the group urged the U.S. Justice Department to open a criminal investigation and to consider restricting Ben-Gvir's travel within the United States if warranted. The foundation has a history of pursuing international legal actions against Israeli military personnel and officials visiting foreign countries, invoking universal jurisdiction principles.

The foundation was established by Diab Abu Jahjah, a Lebanese Shiite and Hezbollah affiliate, who founded the "March 30 Movement" and its subsidiary, the Hind Rajab Foundation. Abu Jahjah holds Belgian citizenship through marriage and is barred from entering the U.S. and from flights crossing U.S. airspace due to his affiliations. The foundation is known for its persistent legal campaigns targeting Israelis abroad.

Ben-Gvir's upcoming New York visit and the foundation's legal actions highlight ongoing international tensions surrounding Israeli policies in Palestinian territories and the use of legal mechanisms abroad to challenge Israeli officials.