A far-right Jewish-American organization, Betar USA, has been compelled to cease operations in New York State following a comprehensive investigation by Attorney General Letitia James. The probe revealed the group engaged in systematic bias-motivated harassment and violence against targeted communities.
The investigation, conducted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), determined that Betar USA repeatedly targeted individuals based on their faith and ethnic origin, specifically focusing on Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish New Yorkers. The group’s tactics included physical intimidation, assault, and psychological terror campaigns.
Attorney General James stated: “New York will not tolerate organizations that use fear, violence, and intimidation to silence free expression or target people because of who they are. 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.”
The investigation documented multiple incidents where Betar-affiliated individuals targeted people perceived as Muslim or pro-Palestinian, attempting to force “beepers” on them—a reference to an Israeli operation in Lebanon that killed people using exploding pagers. Group members threatened academics with ongoing harassment and warned at least one individual that they would visit their home.
Evidence showed Betar USA actively promoted and encouraged violence, urging members to bring weapons to protests including knives, pepper spray, and attack dogs. The group celebrated violent incidents online, including sharing footage of a national leadership member physically striking a woman wearing a keffiyeh.
Under the settlement agreement, Betar USA is permanently barred from instigating or encouraging violence, physically assaulting or threatening individuals, harassing protesters, or damaging property based on protected characteristics. The group agreed to a suspended $50,000 penalty that will be enforced if violations occur, and will dissolve its not-for-profit corporation in New York.
The investigation also revealed that Betar USA failed to register as a New York charity despite actively soliciting donations through its website and social media platforms.
Founded in 1929 and revived in June 2023 by Israeli-American entrepreneur Ronn Torossian—a Trump campaign donor—and Congressman Ritchie Torres, Betar USA described itself as “loud, proud, aggressive and unapologically Zionist.” The group recently obtained US tax-exempt nonprofit status in July 2024 and claimed chapters in multiple cities, though actual membership numbers remain unclear.
Betar USA is part of a century-old international organization that helped shape Israel’s far-right movement. The group originated from the right-wing Zionist ideology of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and later integrated into the Irgun militia, which became part of the Israeli army following Israel’s establishment in 1948—an event Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or catastrophe.