Zionist extremist group Betar to shut down in New York after state AG probe, settlement

MANHATTAN (CN) — New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement on Tuesday with Betar, a right-wing pro-Israel group, after her office uncovered a pattern of violence based in “anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim animus.”

As a result, James said the group is “winding down operations in New York,” though shuttering was not a requirement per the settlement agreement.

James’ office started investigating the group last March amid concerns it was repeatedly targeting individuals based on religion and national origin. Betar has become notorious for doxxing pro-Palestine protesters on social media and encouraging violence at protests around the country.

“Betar has described its members as ‘cruel’ and ‘aggressive,’” James said in the 14-page settlement agreement. “In a direct message on social media, Betar explained that it does not view violence as a ‘bad thing,’ because ‘we are at war. Violence is needed.’”

The group’s reputation earned it widespread criticism and condemnation, even from other pro-Israel and Jewish groups. The Anti-Defamation League, for example, deemed Betar as an extremist organization last year. Betar responded that the designation was “deeply antisemitic.”

As tensions flared globally amid Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, James’ office found that Betar fanned the flames by encouraging its members to show up to protests armed with weapons like knives, pepper spray and even attack dogs.

“Betar instructed its members to bring attack dogs to the Feb.18, 2025, protest [in Borough Park, Brooklyn], posting ‘borrow a pit bull’ on social media,” James said in the settlement.

At that demonstration, at least one activist was stabbed after Betar members attacked protesters, James found. The investigation showed the group celebrated privately afterward.

James’ office also reviewed internal communications of Betar members, who repeatedly referred to keffiyehs as “rape rags.” One member said on an internal Betar WhatsApp chat that all devout Muslims “hate America,” according to the settlement.

“Echoing these sentiments, Betar’s chairman wrote that they harass ‘Muslim terrorists,” James added.

And on social media, James found that Betar regularly posted demeaning content about Palestinians and Gazans. She pointed to the group sharing a list of Palestinian babies killed by Israel, to which the group added that it was “not enough” and “we demand blood in Gaza.”

The animus even extended to fellow Jews who don’t share the group’s vision of Judaism or Israel. James found that Betar threatened to compile lists of Jewish activists it disagrees with to present to Israeli authorities to deny them entry into the country.

“In a private email to a Jewish activist who complained that he and his wife were being targeted by this campaign on social media, a Betar leader threatened, ’Of course we place Jews on lists,’” James said.

Finding that Betar violated civil rights laws with its harassment and violence against protected groups, James reached a settlement with the organization that requires it to immediately “cease instigating or encouraging violence against individuals, threatening protesters, and harassing individuals exercising their civil rights.”

If Betar violates the agreement, it’s on the hook for a $50,000 penalty.

“New York will not tolerate organizations that use fear, violence, and intimidation to silence free expression or target people because of who they are,” James said. “My office’s investigation uncovered an alarming and illegal pattern of bias-motivated harassment and violence designed to terrorize communities and shut down lawful protest. This behavior is unacceptable, and it is not who we are as New Yorkers. My office will continue to use every tool available to protect all New Yorkers’ civil rights and public safety.”

Despite soliciting donations in New York, James added that Betar has never registered with the state charities bureau. Its U.S. arm is relatively new, forming in 2024 as a proxy to the Revisionist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 by Vladimir Jabotinsky.

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