Pro-Palestinian Group Claims Victory as Israeli Minister Ben Gvir Cancels New York Visit Amid Legal Pressure
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a pro-Palestinian organization based in Belgium, announced a victory after reports emerged that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir canceled a planned visit to New York for the second time recently. Ben Gvir was scheduled to attend a conference of police chiefs in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The foundation claimed the cancellation was due to legal proceedings it initiated against Ben Gvir and the public pressure exerted by pro-Palestinian groups.
The foundation filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice and, together with the Center for Constitutional Rights, petitioned New York State Attorney General Letitia James to open an investigation into Ben Gvir. They allege violations of New York state laws and international offenses affecting state residents. The Hind Rajab Foundation stated that the cancellation marks a shift, saying, "For decades, Israeli political and military leaders traveled the world expecting immunity. That expectation is beginning to crack. When a senior Israeli minister cancels an international trip due to potential legal scrutiny, it proves accountability is no longer theoretical but has real consequences."
Despite these claims, there has been no official confirmation from Ben Gvir's office that the visit was canceled because of the legal action or pressure from the organization. The Israeli consulate in New York recently indicated that Ben Gvir is not expected to attend the event, and his name does not appear on the list of participants at the UN police chiefs conference.
Responding to inquiries about the legal actions, Ben Gvir expressed pride in the Israeli Prison Service's enforcement of his policies, emphasizing that all actions are lawful and signaling his determination to continue his approach to prison management. The Hind Rajab Foundation, led by Lebanese-Belgian Hezbollah supporter Diab Abu Jahjah, has been actively pursuing legal cases against Israeli soldiers, officers, ministers, and officials worldwide in recent months, aiming to initiate criminal investigations against Israelis globally.
