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Our Readers Just Helped Shut Down a Violent Hate Group in NYC — Now We Need to Keep Chasing It
Our June investigation into Betar US just helped force the violent extremist group out of New York
We spend a lot of time reporting on bad news. Genocide, corruption, attacks on the First Amendment and free speech, the corporate takeover of media. So let me start with something different: good news that our community helped make happen.
This week, a settlement with New York Attorney General Letitia James effectively forced Betar US—a far-right extremist group that’s been terrorizing Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish activists across New York—to shut down its nonprofit operations in the state. After an investigation found a sustained campaign of violence and harassment, the agreement bars Betar from instigating or encouraging violence, harassment, or intimidation. As part of the settlement, Betar agreed to dissolve its nonprofit in New York, and faces a suspended $50,000 penalty if it violates the terms.
And the investigation we published back in June played a major role in making it happen.
Betar has publicly vowed to relocate to Delaware and London, seemingly trying to dodge accountability. We’ll be keeping tabs on them, but at minimum, they can’t terrorize people in New York City anymore. Tracking their next moves and holding them accountable wherever they go? That takes resources. That takes your support. More subscribers means more investigations like this. More impact. More accountability. We can only keep doing this work if readers like you decide it’s worth supporting.
If you’ve been reading Drop Site and value our investigations that hold violent extremists accountable and reporting that forces action, now’s the time to join us.
What Reader Support Made Possible
In June 2025, Murtaza Hussain and Talia Jane reported for Drop Site on how members of Betar used WhatsApp group chats to plan counterprotests against pro-Palestine demonstrations and commit potential hate crimes against Muslims in New York City. We documented them discussing pepper spray, tactical flashlights “strong enough to whack them in the face with,” and lasers to “burn their eyes out.” We reported them discussing stealing Palestinian flags from private homes and burning them. We revealed their threats to compile “ban lists” of Jewish critics of Israel.
When I read through the Attorney General’s legal findings this week, I saw our reporting cited again and again. The WhatsApp chats we obtained. The leadership of Ronn Torossian, an associate of former NYC mayor Eric Adams. The threats against Jewish activists who didn’t align with their views. The violent planning and celebration we exposed in their private chats. At least 11 of the factual findings in the AG’s document came directly from our investigation.
How We Got This Story
This story is a powerful example of the way that independent news organizations like Drop Site can complement the work of other independent journalists. In this case, journalist Talia Jane was on to a potent story, but knew that with the help of Drop Site’s legal resources and our investigative capacity, the story would have more impact. That’s why we’re here, to help make sure great journalists can get their work in front of the public, and can be defended if there’s blowback. If you want to offer Talia a little thank you, she lists her PayPal on her Twitter account, which you can find here. https://x.com/taliaotg
Drop Site’s Impact
The Office of the Attorney General’s investigation isn't the only example of our reporting driving real-world change
Our investigation into Microsoft’s complicity in the Gaza genocide led to Microsoft blocking the IDF from using its tech for mass surveillance of Palestinians.
Our investigations into Israeli military war crimes are being used by international human rights organizations and legal authorities, and are expected to play a role in future prosecutions.
Our reporting on Yemen reached the Trump administration—when President Trump halted U.S. bombing of Yemen, he cited a Houthi offer that Drop Site first reported.
We’ve become the only major global news outlet consistently covering Pakistan with critical depth, which led to the Pakistani government officially banning us in the country. (We’re treating that as a badge of honor.)
This is what a paid subscription for less than $0.25/day makes possible. Not just reporting. Actual accountability. Actual change. Actual consequences for those who abuse power.
And you’ve been getting all of this for free. Ready to support this work?
We made a commitment from day one: no paywalls, ever. That means you’ve been able to read everything we publish without paying a cent. But it also means we’re completely dependent on people who value this work enough to support it financially.
Your paid subscription isn’t just supporting our work. It’s a statement that there’s still an audience for reporters who won’t be bought, who won’t kill stories to please the powerful, and who won’t pretend genocide isn’t happening to appease the government committing it.
The Betar investigation is proof: when we do this work right, it has real consequences. Violent extremists are forced to stop their operations. Corporations can change their policies. Governments can shift course.
You’ve been reading this work for free. If you value it, now’s the time to step up and support it.
Thanks for considering it.
— Ryan
P.S. Not sure if you can afford a paid subscription right now? That’s okay, we’ll keep sending you everything we publish regardless. But if you can swing it, your support makes a real difference in what we’re able to do.
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