Israel's Ben-Gvir sued in US over alleged war crimes in Palestinian prisons

The Belgian human‑rights group Hind Rajab Foundation has lodged a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice accusing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir of war crimes and genocide. The filing alleges that, since taking office in 2022, Ben‑Gvir has directed policies that resulted in systematic torture, sexual violence, forced displacement and the deaths of at least 46 Palestinian detainees between October 2023 and August 2025 in Israeli prisons. The complaint urges U.S. authorities to open an investigation, to bar Ben‑Gvir from leaving the United States while the probe proceeds, and to ensure Washington upholds its obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Ben‑Gvir is expected in New York on 7‑8 July to attend a police chiefs summit at the United Nations headquarters, and the foundation also cites his inflammatory remarks about Lebanon as evidence of genocidal intent.

The organization’s allegations target the Israeli police, prison service and the agency that issues firearm licences, describing a “network of torture camps” where prisoners face starvation, sleep deprivation, denial of medical care, and routine sexual abuse. It calls for U.S. action to hold the minister accountable for these crimes.