Several pro-Israel groups have voiced their support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to expel and deport students involved in pro-Palestine protests on American campuses. Among the most prominent of these groups is Betar US, which claims to be sharing the names of pro-Palestinian protesters with the Trump administration.
The Trump administration has already detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University graduate and activist, and Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral scholar at Georgetown University, and is attempting to deport them. Trump has pledged to deport students who protested last year against Israel’s war on Gaza and called for U.S. universities to divest from companies linked to Israel.
What is Betar US?
Betar US is a branch of Betar, a Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, who advocated for strong Jewish militarism and territorial expansion. The group claims to have branches worldwide, including in the U.S. Daniel Levy, a spokesperson for Betar US, described the movement as “loud, proud, aggressive, and unapologetically Zionist.” Zionism is a nationalist and political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe, advocating for the creation of a Jewish state.
However, critics have questioned the group’s transparency, noting the lack of publicly available information about its leaders and members. Jenin Younes, a civil liberties and free speech lawyer, called this secrecy “unusual” and suggested it might be an attempt to avoid accountability. Betar US denies these claims, stating it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in full compliance with regulations.
Who is Betar US Targeting?
Since campus protests began last year, Betar US has doxxed pro-Palestinian students, sharing their names with the government. The group has accused individuals like Khalil of making inflammatory statements, though evidence supporting these claims is lacking. Betar US has openly declared its intent to have pro-Palestinian students expelled and has provided hundreds of names to the Trump administration, alleging—without evidence—that these individuals support U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.
The group insists that its targets are anti-Semitic, but civil rights organizations argue that pro-Israel groups often conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, stifling free speech. Abed Ayoub of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) criticized Betar US for engaging in harassment and undermining First Amendment rights.
What Has Betar US Said on Gaza?
Betar US has made inflammatory statements about Gaza, including a now-deleted post calling for “blood in Gaza.” The group has also expressed support for removing Palestinians from Gaza and disrupted a vigil for Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl killed by Israeli forces. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has labeled Betar US an “extremist group,” though Levy dismissed this, calling the ADL “radical, left-wing, and woke.”
Is Betar US Backing Trump’s Deportation Plans?
Betar US fully supports Trump’s deportation efforts, claiming that visa holders and naturalized citizens who support terrorist organizations should be deported. However, the Trump administration has not provided evidence linking detained individuals like Khalil to such organizations. Khalil, who is being held in a Louisiana detention facility, has described himself as a “political prisoner” and claims his arrest was a result of his advocacy for Palestine.
Are There Other Groups Supporting Trump’s Crackdown?
Yes, other groups have supported Trump’s actions to varying degrees:
- ADL: While it has labeled campus protests as anti-Semitic and backed Trump’s executive orders, it has not publicly supported mass deportations.
- Mothers Against College Antisemitism (MACA): This group supports the deportation of pro-Palestinian activists it accuses of supporting Hamas.
- Canary Mission: An online database that targets individuals and organizations it deems anti-Israel or anti-Semitic, it has welcomed Khalil’s arrest and called for more arrests.
Are Trump’s Planned Deportations Legal?
The legality of Trump’s deportation threats is highly contested. While the administration has the authority to revoke visas under certain conditions, such as national security threats, critics argue that these actions violate the First Amendment, which protects free speech regardless of immigration status. Khalil’s lawyers are challenging his deportation in court.
Civil rights groups warn that these actions create a “chilling effect,” discouraging students from exercising their free speech rights. Universities are urged to protect students’ rights, but many have reportedly capitulated to pressure from donors and the Trump administration.
In this climate, Younes advises foreign nationals to seek legal counsel before engaging in pro-Palestine activism, as the safest course of action may be to remain silent.
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