New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday that her office has reached a settlement with Betar US, a far-right pro-Israel group, over allegations of harassment and intimidation targeting pro-Palestinian activists in New York. The agreement will see the group gradually shutter its operations in the state.

According to James, the investigation revealed that Betar US engaged in “widespread persecution” of Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish residents, employing fear, intimidation, and harassment to silence critics.

“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.”

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Allegations Against Betar US

Betar US, known among pro-Palestinian activists for aggressive surveillance tactics, had previously compiled lists of campus activists and shared them with federal authorities. The group used facial recognition and databases to monitor individuals involved in pro-Palestine activism, in some cases forwarding information to the Trump administration for potential deportation.

This included the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University who was imprisoned for co-signing an essay advocating for university divestment from companies accused of Palestinian rights abuses. The Department of Homeland Security later testified that Betar’s data, along with lists from groups like Canary Mission, was used to target these activists.

“They were one of many organizations acting as attack dogs against people who speak up for Palestine,” said Yousef Munayyer, senior fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC. “They distinguished themselves by being brash, combative, and willing to use extreme language and actions, including direct confrontations on the streets.”

Analysts have compared Betar US to the Jewish Defense League (JDL), a New York-based extremist group founded in the late 1960s by Meir Kahane, known for violent street actions and later classified as a right-wing terrorist organization by the US government.

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Settlement Terms and Penalties

Under the settlement, Betar US has agreed to dissolve its not-for-profit corporation in New York, wind down operations, and cease all harassment of individuals exercising constitutional rights. The group will face a suspended $50,000 penalty if it violates the agreement.

Despite the settlement, Betar US made headlines with offensive posts on social media hours after the announcement, mocking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, and linking him to anti-Zionist rhetoric.

“Pro-Israel groups have become so blatant in their actions that governments can’t turn a blind eye,” said Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at the human rights group DAWN. “What we need to see next is for other states and federal authorities to follow through on actions like this.”

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Historical and Ideological Context

Betar US draws inspiration from Zionist hardliner Ze’ev Jabotinsky, who advocated for a militant form of Zionism and the forceful expulsion of Palestinians from contested territories. The organization has publicly defended its ideology, describing itself as “mainstream Zionism”, and has denied any wrongdoing.

The group’s activities reflect a broader trend among certain far-right pro-Israel organizations using aggressive tactics, both online and offline, to monitor and intimidate pro-Palestinian activists. This includes compiling lists of students, participating in confrontational protests, and leveraging social media to amplify extremist messaging.

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Implications for Activists and Policy

The NY AG settlement represents a significant precedent in curbing hate-driven harassment and surveillance by extremist political organizations in the United States. Legal experts and human rights advocates say it highlights the need for other states and federal authorities to hold similar groups accountable, ensuring that activism and protest remain protected under the First Amendment.

“This is a victory for civil liberties,” Munayyer said. “It demonstrates that even highly organized, well-funded groups cannot target communities with impunity.”

With Betar US winding down in New York, advocates hope it will reduce intimidation against pro-Palestinian activists and serve as a warning to similar organizations engaging in harassment nationwide.