Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has backed out of attending the United Nations Police Chiefs Summit in New York due to legal risks in the US. According to Israeli media, protests and detention demands by human rights groups, as well as criminal complaints against him, influenced the minister's decision.
Haaretz newspaper reported that the visit was canceled after internal security assessments pointed to legal pressures Ben-Gvir could face because of his radical rhetoric and policies. The minister's office did not issue an official statement on the reason for the cancellation.
Criminal complaints filed with US authorities
According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, the cancellation stems from legal initiatives by the Belgium-based human rights organization Hind Rajab Foundation. The foundation filed criminal complaints with the US Department of Justice over Ben-Gvir's policies toward Palestinian prisoners and called on the New York State Attorney General to open a formal investigation.
The Hind Rajab Foundation stated that legal accountability is no longer theoretical and that it will continue to pressure US authorities against Ben-Gvir.
International sanctions and investigations
Itamar Ben-Gvir has faced international backlash before. In May, after he shared a video showing activists from the "Sumud Flotilla" being beaten in handcuffs while detained at sea, he was barred from entering France and Ireland.
While countries such as France, Spain and Italy have called for EU-wide sanctions against Ben-Gvir, judicial authorities in Italy and France have launched investigations into allegations of torture against the activists.
Middle East Eye reported in May that an application had been filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for secret arrest warrants against Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the West Bank. International arrest warrant requests against Ben-Gvir are also mounting over his calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians throughout the Gaza offensive and his push for a bill that would allow the execution of prisoners.
The ICC issued arrest warrants on 21 November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
Maria Nica / Editor
