Man arrested in alleged plot to firebomb pro-Palestinian activist
A man was in federal custody on Friday, March 27, in connection to a firebomb assassination plot at the home of a New York based pro-Palestinian activist, court records filed in the case show.
Alexander Heifler of Hoboken, New Jersey, was arrested at his home the evening of Thursday, March 26, after an undercover FBI operation alleged he planned to throw a dozen Molotov cocktails at Nerdeen Kiswani's home, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI in federal district court in New Jersey.
Kiswani, co-founder of the organization Within our Lifetime, a pro-Palestinian organization based in New York City, was not physically harmed.
Heifler is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful making of a firearm, court documents show. According to charging papers, Heifler met with an undercover FBI agent on multiple occasions earlier this month and last month to discuss a plot to firebomb the woman's home.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement that Heifler is an alleged member of the Jewish Defense League, an organization designated by the FBI as a "known violent extremist organization." According to Mamdani, Heifler allegedly planned to flee to Israel following the attack.
Authorities said during a Feb. 10 meeting with the undercover agent, Heifler participated in a video call with multiple individuals, including one who was an undercover law enforcement officer. There, he allegedly said he was looking to throw "Molotovs," which the FBI officer described as destructive devices filled with flammable liquids that are ignited before the bottle is hurled. The defendant allegedly gave an overview of his plan – drive to Kiswani's house in April and throw Molotovs at her residence.
According to the complaint, law enforcement later executed a search warrant at Heifler's home in and recovered eight Molotov cocktails.
"This (plot) comes amidst an alarming rise in threats and violence across the country targeting Palestinian human rights advocates," Mamdani said in his statement. "Let me be clear: We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy. I am relieved that Nerdeen is safe."
'A plot against my life'
Kiswani said federal law enforcement alerted her on Thursday, March 26, about the plot.
“Late last night, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force informed me that a plot against my life was ‘about to’ take place, and that agents had conducted an operation in Hoboken related to this plot,” Kiswani wrote in a post on X.
"I will have more to say as additional details come to light. I will not stop speaking up for the people of Palestine."
It was not immediately known whether Heifler had obtained an attorney to represent him.
USA TODAY has reached out to federal prosecutors, the FBI and the New York Police Department for more information.
Who is Nerdeen Kiswani?
Kiswani is a graduate of CUNY Law, where she was president of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
According to Within Our Lifetime's website, Kiswani has organized pro-Palestine marches in New York City and has been an outspoken protester and advocate for student protest across the nation.
Her advocacy has received criticism from supporters of Israel, including Republican Florida Rep. Randy Fine. Fine faced calls to resign after suggesting he prefers dogs to Muslim people in a response to a social media post by Kiswani in February.
"Since Rep. Fine began posting about me, the response has included widespread mischaracterizations, misinformation, and days of online attacks and threats," Kiswani told the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In February, Kiswani filed a lawsuit against Betar Zionist Organization Inc. for coordinating actions to "stalk, harass and threaten Ms. Kiswani." The complaint alleged that Betar encouraged the public at large to assault Kiswani and offered cash to "any member of the public who assaults her."
The Council of American-Islamic Relations' New York chapter said it welcomed the disruption of the firebombing plot.
“This disturbing case underscores the growing climate of harassment, threats, and violence directed at those speaking out on Palestinian human rights and other social justice issues," CAIR-NY wrote. "Such actions not only endanger individuals but also threaten the fundamental freedoms of speech and civic engagement."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.