Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has canceled his participation in the United Nations (UN) Police Chiefs Summit in New York. The decision was made due to legal complaints and protest threats against him.
According to Haaretz newspaper, Ben-Gvir canceled the visit after human rights groups increased their calls for demonstrations and his detention. The cancellation followed internal security assessments that pointed to legal pressure he could face due to his radical rhetoric.
Hind Rajab Foundation's legal initiatives
The Jerusalem Post, meanwhile, wrote that the cancellation was due to legal pressure from the Belgium-based human rights organization Hind Rajab Foundation. The foundation filed a criminal complaint against Ben-Gvir with the US Department of Justice over his 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 to take legal action against Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir's office, however, did not issue an official statement on the reason for the cancellation.
International reactions and investigations
Ben-Gvir drew international backlash after sharing a video in May showing activists from the "Sumud Flotilla" being beaten while handcuffed after being detained at sea, and he was subsequently barred from entering France and Ireland. While countries such as France, Spain and Italy called for EU-wide sanctions against Ben-Gvir, judicial authorities in Italy and France 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 increasing due to 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 November 21, 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
