July 4, 2026, New York, United States – The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) welcomes reports that Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has canceled his planned visit to New York following the initiation of criminal proceedings by our organization and the Center for Constitutional Rights, as well as pressure from a grassroots mobilization organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and other groups.
According to multiple media reports, Ben-Gvir's decision came after HRF filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice and, together with the Center for Constitutional Rights, sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James urging an investigation into Ben-Gvir's violations of New York State law and crimes against New York residents.
HRF and the Center for Constitutional Rights also called on Attorney General James to establish a special „Atrocity Crimes Accountability Task Force” within the Attorney General’s Office. This task force should investigate all atrocity crimes committed against or by New Yorkers in the occupied Palestinian territories, regardless of the identity or nationality of the perpetrators.
This is a significant and concrete victory.
No shelter
For decades, Israeli political and military leaders have traveled the world with the expectation of impunity. That era is coming to an end. The growing prospect of legal accountability is already affecting their freedom of movement. When an Israeli minister cancels an international trip because of the possibility of prosecution, it is proof that efforts towards accountability are yielding tangible results.
The message is clear: those suspected of involvement in atrocities and war crimes can no longer assume they can travel abroad without legal risk.
Nevertheless, Ben-Gvir's decision to stay away from New York does not satisfy the pursuit of justice. It merely postpones the legal issues that demand resolution.
The obligation to investigate remains unchanged.
The New York Attorney General's responsibility remains, regardless of whether the subject of the complaint chooses to enter the state's jurisdiction. Attorney General James remains obligated to meet with New Yorkers who are victims of the crimes described in our petition and to thoroughly investigate the allegations made.
Investigations should not be delayed until the suspect enters the jurisdiction. They should be initiated in advance to ensure that if Ben-Gvir or any other person in a similar situation arrives in New York, authorities are able to act immediately.
More fundamentally, this case was never solely about Itamar Ben-Gvir. He may oversee the Israeli Prison Service’s torture policy, but that torture is carried out by individual guards and prison staff. Ben-Gvir may have videotaped himself abusing Global Sumud Flotilla activists, but those activists were also abducted, unlawfully detained, and tortured by individual Israeli soldiers and police officers. Ben-Gvir may support and arm the illegal settler movement, but the settlers and the soldiers who protect them are the ones implementing Israel’s apartheid policies and violent displacement.
There are New Yorkers who have participated in atrocity crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories. At the same time, there are New Yorkers who are victims of these crimes, or who have lost family members, loved ones, or property as a result. These connections create both a legal basis and a moral imperative for state authorities to investigate.
Our legal claims remain unchanged.
No New Yorker should have to live with individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Accountability is not just about punishment; it is about protecting communities, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that no jurisdiction becomes a haven for perpetrators of the most serious international crimes.
The renunciation of Ben-Gvir's path is an important milestone, but only one step in a much broader accountability effort.
Every legal filing erodes the wall of impunity. Every investigation strengthens the rule of law and expands the scope of accountability. Every path foregone proves that accountability is no longer theoretical but has real consequences, long before the first day in court.
The Hind Rajab Foundation will continue to pursue this offensive legal strategy wherever international and domestic law provides a path to justice.
This victory deserves recognition.
