New York's Attorney General, Letitia James, has announced a significant settlement with the far-right pro-Israel organisation Betar US, compelling it to wind down its operations in the state. The move follows an investigation which uncovered a pattern of "bias-motivated assaults, threats, and harassment" directed at Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish residents.
Settlement Terms and Group's Dissolution
The settlement, announced on Tuesday, mandates that Betar must "immediately cease instigating or encouraging violence" and stop threatening or harassing individuals exercising their civil rights. The agreement subjects the group to a suspended financial penalty of $50,000, which will be enforced if the terms are violated.
According to the Attorney General's office, Betar is now seeking to dissolve its not-for-profit corporation and is winding down its activities in New York. The group's spokesperson, Daniel Levy, stated that Betar "categorically denies all allegations of wrongdoing" but confirmed its voluntary withdrawal from operating in the state.
Investigation Uncovers Alarming Conduct
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) launched its probe in March 2025 after receiving multiple complaints. Investigators determined that Betar, labelled an "extremist group" by the Anti-Defamation League, had repeatedly targeted individuals based on religion and national origin.
The inquiry found evidence of what was described as "widespread persecution" driven by hostility towards protected groups, breaching New York's civil rights laws. This included the group publicly circulating content that celebrated violence against Palestinians, with social media posts mocking civilian deaths and calling for further bloodshed.
Pattern of Intimidation and Violence
The investigation detailed multiple incidents of physical intimidation and assault. In early 2025, individuals linked to Betar approached people perceived as Muslim or supportive of Palestinian causes and attempted to force "beepers" onto them, an apparent reference to a deadly 2024 Israeli military operation.
Furthermore, the group was found to have promoted and encouraged its members to bring weapons to protests, including knives, pepper spray, and attack dogs. In one specific incident highlighted by the OAG, a member of Betar's national leadership physically struck a woman wearing a keffiyeh, after which the group celebrated the assault online by sharing video footage.
The probe also revisited Betar's earlier claim, reported by The Guardian in March, to have submitted a list of "thousands of names" of students and faculty for potential deportation over their participation in campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza. While Betar later disavowed these claims, the OAG concluded this conduct was designed to unlawfully intimidate protesters and chill First Amendment rights.
Attorney General Letitia James stated, "New York will not tolerate organizations that use fear, violence, and intimidation to silence free expression or target people because of who they are... This behavior is unacceptable, and it is not who we are as New Yorkers." The settlement marks a decisive end to the group's activities in the state following what officials characterised as a campaign of hatred and Islamophobic extremism.
