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Could not initialize class org.codehaus.groovy.vmplugin.v7.Java7

Don't ask me why but this kind of error would make me think of an old version of Java and/or Gradle. Make sure to use a recent Java and even more recent Gradle. Java 21 + Gradle 8.6 or if that doesn't work, maybe Java 17 + Gradle 8.5?

Afair it is, if you use an incompatible combination. That is too new Java version for the Gradle version you are using.