Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is planning to skip a UN police chiefs conference in New York this week amid legal pressure over his prison policies and "involvement in war crimes," Israeli media reported.
Ben-Gvir's office has yet to confirm the cancellation of the visit, the Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday.
The report came a day after the Israeli daily Haaretz, citing ministry officials, said the decision was made amid planned demonstrations against Ben-Gvir's visit and growing calls by human rights groups for his investigation and arrest.
Earlier in the week, the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium-based group known for filing legal cases against Israeli soldiers and officials around the world, urged US authorities to detain and prosecute Ben-Gvir over his prison crimes.
Ben-Gvir was scheduled to attend the UN Chiefs of Police Summit in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Authority abuse
The Hind Rajab Foundation said it and the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights filed a complaint with the US Justice Department and urged New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch an investigation.
The foundation said Ben-Gvir has "used his authority to enact a policy of systematic torture, murder, abuse and forced displacement," particularly within the Israel Prisons Service, which falls under his oversight.
The groups argued that James has the authority to investigate Ben-Gvir because "a number of New York residents have been harmed by Ben-Gvir's criminal conduct and because Ben-Gvir may also be engaging in criminal conduct while in New York."
They cited 11 cases involving New York residents, including 10 people on aid flotillas bound for Gaza in the last two years who were "subjected to torture and abuse" after being kidnapped by Israel.
Israel has killed over 73,000 Palestinians in its genocide in Gaza since October 2023. It has reduced most of the enclave to ruins and displaced its entire population.
Expectations eroding
The letter also referred to a Palestinian American who was "subjected to starvation and other torture methods while detained in an Israeli prison."
"The #HindRajabFoundation welcomes reports that Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir has cancelled his NY visit following legal action by HRF and the Center for Constitutional Rights. Israeli political and military leaders have travelled the world expecting impunity. That expectation is beginning to erode," the organisation said on X on Saturday.
This marks the second US trip Ben-Gvir has cancelled within a month. Haaretz said he also scrapped a planned private visit last month after reportedly facing visa-related difficulties.
The newspaper added that, unlike the private trip, Ben-Gvir was not expected to face entry issues for the UN conference, as he was due to lead an official Israeli delegation.
