Key facts
- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir canceled his planned trip to New York.
- The trip was for the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit.
- Human rights groups called for his prosecution.
- Planned demonstrations were organized against his visit.
- A UN official confirmed Ben-Gvir was not registered for the summit.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has canceled his scheduled trip to New York for the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit next week. The decision comes amid planned demonstrations against his visit and calls from human rights organizations for his prosecution.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Constitutional Rights, sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James urging her to open a criminal investigation into Ben-Gvir. These groups also requested James meet with alleged victims of Ben-Gvir, including a Palestinian American who claims to have been subjected to starvation and torture in an Israeli prison, and participants of the 2025 and 2026 Global Sumud Flotillas who reported abuse by Ben-Gvir.
Several progressive Jewish organizations had planned protests outside the United Nations, where the conference is set to take place on July 7 and 8. Some groups, including T'ruah and Jewish Voice for Peace, have circulated an open letter with thousands of signatures demanding James prosecute Ben-Gvir for war crimes upon his arrival.
A UN official confirmed that Ben-Gvir was not yet registered for the summit, and a staffer for the Consulate General of Israel in New York indicated that the minister was not currently planning to come to New York. This is not the first time Ben-Gvir has canceled a U.S. visit; last month, he reportedly canceled a private holiday trip due to visa complications.