Man arrested in plot to firebomb Palestinian activist's home after undercover op
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Alexander Heifler was arrested in Hoboken, New Jersey, for planning to firebomb the home of Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, following a weeks-long undercover NYPD operation.
- Heifler, identified as a member of the JDL 613 Brotherhood, assembled Molotov cocktails and planned to flee to Israel after the attack, according to federal authorities.
- Kiswani, who leads protests against Israel and the Gaza war through Within Our Lifetime, stated the thwarted plot would not deter her activism despite ongoing threats.
- Heifler faces charges for making and possessing destructive devices, each carrying up to 10 years in prison; law enforcement emphasized zero tolerance for violent extremism targeting political beliefs.
- The investigation was conducted by the NYPD's Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism unit, highlighting proactive intelligence efforts to prevent violence.
