US law enforcement foils plot to assassinate Palestinian American activist
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Law enforcement foiled an assassination plot against Palestinian American activist Nerdeen Kiswani, arresting 26-year-old Alexander Heifler on firearms charges following a weeks-long undercover operation in New Jersey.
- Heifler was caught assembling Molotov cocktails and had obtained Kiswani's address; the investigation involved both the FBI joint terrorism taskforce and NYPD undercover officers.
- Kiswani has accused far-right pro-Israel group Betar and politician Randy Fine of encouraging violence against her, and she recently sued Betar for stalking and harassment, including alleged social media "bounties."
- Betar denied involvement and labeled Kiswani a "violent terrorist," while Kiswani maintains her activism targets the state of Israel, not Jewish people, despite criticism of her rhetoric and calls for armed resistance.
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso condemned the plot, emphasizing that political violence is unacceptable in New York amid a divisive political climate.
