Hind Rajab Foundation calls on top prosecutor to investigate Ben Gvir ahead of NYC visit

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), in partnership with the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), sent a letter to New York state attorney general Letitia James on Thursday, urging her to open a criminal investigation into Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir.

Ben Gvir, notorious for his openly violent rhetoric against Palestinians and Muslims, is expected to be in Manhattan next week for the Chiefs of Police Summit from 7-8 July. 

The groups are also urging James to meet with what they say are local victims of Ben Gvir, including one Palestinian American subjected to starvation and torture in Israeli prison, as well as 10 participants in the 2025 and 2026 Global Sumud Flotillas who were subjected to abuse directly by Ben Gvir. 

"The ball is in her court; she needs to meet with these people," Jake Romm, the US representative for HRF, told Middle East Eye on Thursday. "They are New Yorkers. They deserve the protection of the law, and she has an obligation to bring justice." 

HRF called on James to open an "Atrocity Crimes Accountability Task Force" in the criminal justice division, specifically for victims of Israeli officials and the state's policies.

James's office operates independently of political leadership, but she is a strong ally of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel's policies.  

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