NYPD, FBI thwart plot by pro-Israel terror group member to kill activist

The New York Police Department and the FBI have arrested a member of a pro-Israel terror group, preventing what investigators described as a planned assassination attempt against a prominent pro-Palestinian activist in New York City. Alexander Heifler, 26, was charged in federal court with manufacturing and possessing Molotov cocktails that authorities said he intended to use in the attack, according to media reports Friday.

Undercover operation uncovers months-long plot

Heifler, a resident of New Jersey, was taken into custody after detectives and federal agents searched his home and discovered eight Molotov cocktails. Court documents identified him as a member of a branch of the Jewish Defense League, a pro-Israel organization classified by the FBI as a terrorist group. An undercover investigation revealed that Heifler had been planning since at least February to target Nerdeen Kiswani, 31, co-founder of the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime and one of New York’s most prominent pro-Palestinian voices.

Explosives built with undercover detective

According to the criminal complaint, Heifler first discussed building and using Molotov cocktails for “self-defense” during a group video call that included an undercover detective. The detective met with Heifler in person the following day and twice more in the weeks that followed, including on Thursday, when they constructed eight Molotov cocktails together inside Heifler’s home. He was arrested shortly after. Investigators said Heifler intended to throw some of the explosive devices at cars and at least one directly into Kiswani’s home. Heifler is being held without bond pending his next court appearance and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Türkiye, which has consistently voiced support for Palestinian rights and condemned political violence, continues to monitor such incidents as part of its broader concern over rising extremism linked to the ongoing regional conflict.