By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has canceled his planned visit to New York City for the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS), scheduled for July 7 and 8, 2026.
The cancellation follows mounting pressure from human rights organizations including Finn Right International, Finland and legal action by advocacy groups demanding his prosecution for alleged war crimes.
What Happened
Ben-Gvir was set to lead an Israeli National Security Ministry delegation to the UNCOPS conference at UN headquarters in New York.
The trip was first reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which confirmed his planned attendance at the two-day policing summit.
However, sources within the ministry confirmed to Haaretz on Friday, July 3, that the delegation would not be traveling.
A spokesperson for Ben-Gvir’s office confirmed to The Times of Israel that the minister had no plans to attend the UN summit.
Israel’s Consulate General in New York independently verified the cancellation, with a consulate staffer informing media that the minister had no current plans to travel to the city.
Legal Pressure and Calls for Arrest
The cancellation came amid significant legal and political pressure from human rights organizations across the United States and internationally.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) and the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a formal complaint with the United States Department of Justice, urging investigation into Ben-Gvir’s alleged violations of international law.
They also submitted a letter to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, calling on her to investigate Ben-Gvir for alleged war crimes and crimes against New York residents.
Finn Right International, a human rights commission based in Pori, Finland, also formally called for Ben-Gvir’s arrest, joining a growing coalition of international human rights organizations demanding accountability for the far-right minister.
Progressive and anti-Zionist groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations had organized a rally outside the United Nations for July 7, coinciding with the planned summit dates.
Visa Complications A Pattern
This is not the first time Ben-Gvir has canceled a US visit. Earlier this month, the minister abandoned a separate planned trip to the United States after the US Embassy in Israel required him to appear in person and provide his fingerprints as a condition for receiving a visa an unusual requirement reportedly linked to his criminal convictions.
Ben-Gvir holds multiple past criminal convictions in Israel, including disturbing the peace, incitement to racism, and supporting a terrorist organization.
Under US law, Israelis with criminal records are not eligible for the standard visa waiver under the ESTA program and must apply for a visa in person.
His office initially claimed the earlier trip was personal in nature, stating he did not wish to “exploit his status” for a diplomatic visa.
However, reports indicated he had presented the trip to an Israeli court as having “diplomatic importance” in order to delay a separate legal hearing.
Who Is Itamar Ben-Gvir
Itamar Ben-Gvir is Israel’s National Security Minister and leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, a coalition partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
He has been sanctioned by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union for allegedly inciting extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
He has publicly advocated for renewed Jewish settlement in Gaza and has made repeated visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem moves widely condemned internationally as deliberate provocations.
His last visit to New York City, approximately one year ago, drew heated protests and counter-protests across multiple locations in the city.
International Accountability Gaining Ground
The Hind Rajab Foundation described Ben-Gvir’s cancellation as a significant milestone in international accountability efforts.
The foundation stated that the growing prospect of legal accountability is already impacting the freedom of movement of Israeli political figures.
They emphasized that Ben-Gvir’s decision to stay away from New York does not eliminate the obligation of the New York Attorney General to investigate the allegations already submitted.
Finn Right International echoed this position, stating that accountability for human rights violations must not be contingent on a suspect’s physical presence within a jurisdiction.
The commission called on all international bodies to continue pursuing accountability mechanisms regardless of Ben-Gvir’s travel decisions.
What Comes Next
The UN Chiefs of Police Summit will proceed on July 7 and 8, 2026, at UN headquarters in New York without Israeli National Security Ministry representation.
Attorney General Letitia James has not yet publicly responded to the open letter and formal complaint filed by HRF and the Center for Constitutional Rights.
gender apartheid and systematic human rights violations
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