New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday a legal settlement with Betar USA, following an extensive investigation conducted by her office. The official statement said the investigation revealed, according to authorities, a pattern of "violence, harassment and intimidation based on religion and nationality," and that under the settlement the organization committed "to immediately cease all encouragement or involvement in violence and harassment," and to dissolve its legal entity in New York State.
For years, Betar has sowed a campaign of hatred across New York, trafficking in Islamophobic extremism and harassing those with whom they disagreed. There is no place for their bigotry in our politics, and I'm grateful for @NewYorkStateAG's unflagging pursuit of justice. https://t.co/hPFmgLLaUW
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 14, 2026
"New York will not tolerate organizations that use fear, violence, and intimidation to silence free speech or harm people because of their identity," James said in her statement. According to her, the investigation's findings pointed to "a serious and illegal pattern of harassment and violence motivated by hatred, designed to terrorize communities and violate the right to lawful protest." James added that her office "will continue to use every tool at its disposal to protect civil rights and public safety for all New Yorkers."
According to the Attorney General's office statement, the investigation was opened in March 2025 following numerous complaints received against the organization and its members, primarily in connection with demonstrations and protests related to Israel and Palestinians against the backdrop of the Gaza war. The statement noted that Betar USA was described by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as an "extremist" organization, and that under the settlement, a conditional fine of $50,000 was set, to be enforced only if the agreement is violated. It was also stated that the organization is required to submit annual compliance reports for three years.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his sharp anti-Israeli positions, welcomed the move in a post he published on X. "For years, Betar has sowed a campaign of hatred across New York, trafficking in Islamophobic extremism and harassing those with whom they disagreed," he wrote. Mamdani added that " There is no place for their bigotry in our politics," and thanked the Attorney General's office for what he defined as "unflagging pursuit of justice."
Zionists we urge you to evacuate NYC! Come home to Israel! pic.twitter.com/9MiMEzW3Q8
— Betar Worldwide (@Betar_USA) January 14, 2026
On the other hand, Betar categorically rejected the authorities' claims. In an official statement, Daniel Levi, the organization's spokesperson, said that "Betar categorically denies any allegation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct." According to him, "Betar represents moral and just Zionism, as defined by the movement's founder Ze'ev Jabotinsky, and it played a central historical role in the establishment and defense of the State of Israel."
Levi emphasized that this is a veteran Zionist movement founded in 1923, and noted that "two former prime ministers of Israel, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, were proud members of Betar." According to him, "without Betar, the modern Jewish state would not have been established." He also added that the organization "is committed to Zionism, the Jewish people and the State of Israel," and that it "calls on Zionists around the world to make aliyah to Israel and participate in strengthening the Jewish nation."
In statements published by Betar's X account following the announcement, the organization called on "Zionists we urge you to evacuate NYC! Come home to Israel!" It also sharply criticized Jewish figures who supported the move, including academic Shai Davidai.
