The Far-Right Group Fueling a Chilling Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Students

New York, N.Y. — Betar U.S., the American arm of a militant Zionist movement founded in 1923 by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, has re-emerged as a powerful force in the United States, aggressively targeting pro-Palestinian activists—especially students—by collecting and sharing their personal information with the Trump administration. 

The group, which describes itself as “loud, proud, aggressive and unapologetically Zionist,” has taken credit for providing the names of noncitizen protesters to federal authorities, urging their deportation under new executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses.

From Doxxing to Deportation: Betar’s Tactics

Betar US’s methods have drawn sharp criticism from civil rights advocates, legal experts, and the very students it targets.

The group has publicly posted names, images, and even home addresses of pro-Palestinian activists, claiming these individuals support Hamas or espouse antisemitic views. 

In one high-profile case, Betar boasted on social media about adding Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil to its “deport list,” sharing his whereabouts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and celebrating his subsequent arrest. The group has also distributed “deport alerts” and encouraged its followers to harass activists, tactics that many see as thinly veiled threats.

Betar’s spokesperson, Daniel Levy, has openly stated that the group has submitted “hundreds” of names to the Trump administration, targeting not only students but also academics and naturalized citizens of Middle Eastern descent. 

While the Department of Homeland Security denies direct collaboration with Betar, the group insists its dossiers are influencing government action.

Privacy Violations and Chilling Effects

The aggressive doxxing and surveillance campaign orchestrated by Betar U.S. has sparked widespread alarm about privacy violations and the erosion of free speech on American campuses.

Students and faculty profiled by Betar report being mischaracterized, harassed, and subjected to threats, with some experiencing severe anxiety and depression as a result. Critics argue that Betar’s tactics amount to a campaign of intimidation, designed to silence dissent and stifle constitutionally protected protest.

Legal experts warn that the group’s actions raise serious questions about the balance between public safety and individual privacy. While the Trump administration claims to use “all available technology” to vet visa holders, the reliance on information from ideologically motivated outside groups like Betar sets a dangerous precedent. The Anti-Defamation League has listed Betar among organizations promoting extremist or hateful ideologies, a charge Betar dismisses as a smear. See the ADL page describing Betar here.

Backing, Reach, and Ideological Roots

Betar U.S. is part of a global network with branches in multiple countries, but its recent resurgence in the US has been fueled by the political climate following the October 2023 Hamas attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. The group’s ideology is rooted in Jabotinsky’s vision of Jewish militarism and territorial expansion, and it has a long history of militant activism, including past associations with far-right and even “Jewish fascist” elements.

Betar’s renewed activism is closely aligned with the Trump administration’s hardline stance on campus protests and immigration. The group has found common cause with other pro-Israel organizations, but its willingness to publicly name and target individuals sets it apart as one of the most aggressive actors in the current crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.

Civil Liberties at Risk

The legality of the Trump administration’s deportation orders is hotly contested, with civil rights advocates arguing that they violate the First Amendment and amount to an unlawful assault on free speech. 

Universities, caught in the crossfire, face mounting pressure to protect their students from doxxing and harassment, even as federal authorities ramp up enforcement actions based on information provided by groups like Betar.

As Betar U.S. continues to push for more deportations and a faster process, the chilling effect on campus activism is unmistakable. The group’s campaign has not only endangered the privacy and safety of individual students but also raised urgent questions about the role of private organizations in shaping government policy and undermining fundamental rights.

The Oath of Betar

According to the organization’s website, Betar members take an oath – many at a young age – which they vow to follow their entire life. Betar’s ideology follows this oath, which includes:

• Only Eretz Israel has the power to solve the problem of the Jewish people and to ease the suffering of the Diaspora.
• All decisions stem from this. Is it good for the Jews?
• Hebrew is the national language, sole and eternal, of the Jewish people. A Jew who does not know Hebrew – is not a complete Jew.
• “It is good to die for your country.”
• Military preparedness. Betar demands that its members understand force and weapons. We are prepared for physical battle and protection.
• Opposes arm-chair Zionism – being the type of Zionism which lacks true actualization of one’s beliefs. We stand up loud and clear.

Betar U.S.: Century-Old Radical Movement, Newly Aggressive (April 15, 2025)

#BetarUS #StudentPrivacy #CampusFreeSpeech
#Doxxing #Deportation #ProPalestinian #CivilLiberties
#AcademicFreedom #StopDoxxing #RightsUnderAttack

Tags: Betar US, pro-Palestinian activists, student privacy, doxxing,
deportation, Trump administration, campus protests, Zionist groups,
civil liberties, free speech, Mahmoud Khalil, ICE, academic freedom