BREAKING: CAIR-NY Welcomes Shutdown of Betar, Applauds Attorney General James for Holding Pro-Israel Group Accountable
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today applauded New York Attorney General Letitia James for holding the pro-Israel group Betar USA accountable for its campaign of hate against American Muslims and other communities, leading the group to shut down operations in New York.
That group, Betar US, had reportedly been linked to aggressive and violent tactics targeting individuals and organizations expressing support for Palestinian human rights, including Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish New Yorkers opposed to the Gaza genocide.
According to The Associated Press: “The agreement with New York authorities requires Betar to cease activities that threaten or intimidate Muslim, Jewish and Palestinian activists at protests and its frequent social media posts or face a $50,000 penalty.”
In a statement, Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said:
“We applaud Attorney General James for holding this racist, pro-Israel militant group accountable for its alleged harassment of New Yorkers opposed to Israel’s human rights abuses. The shutdown of Betar’s campaign of harassment in New York is a historic and positive step toward protecting New Yorkers who have faced intimidation simply for advocating for Palestinian human rights.
“We call on the federal government to account for and end any contact with Betar, and we call on law enforcement to hold the organization accountable for any criminal harassment it has allegedly committed. No one should be subjected to harassment, threats or fear for exercising their First Amendment rights.”
She noted that last year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which revealed that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, foster a deeper understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com