Man Arrested for Alleged Firebomb Attempt on U.S. Embassy in Israel

NEW YORK—A 28-year-old man was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport on Sunday after allegedly trying to firebomb the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel. Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, was deported from Israel after a confrontation with embassy security, according to the Justice Department.

Officials say that Neumayer was in Israel and made his way to the embassy on May 19. During this visit, he spat on a security guard before escaping, leaving behind a backpack. The backpack was later found to contain three Molotov cocktails, which are incendiary devices commonly used to start fires.

The confrontation escalated when the guard attempted to detain Neumayer as he passed by. Following the incident, authorities tracked him to his hotel, where he was arrested. Evidence gathered from social media showed Neumayer expressing intentions to attack the embassy, including a post that read, “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west.”

In addition to threats against the embassy, he reportedly made posts aimed at assassinating President Donald Trump. Neumayer claims to be the founder of a company called Atlas Light Company, although details about its activities are unclear.

After his deportation from Israel, Neumayer was charged in New York with attempting to destroy an embassy by means of fire or explosive. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.” FBI Director Kash Patel also condemned Neumayer’s actions, labeling them as “despicable and violent.”

The arrest occurred in the wake of another recent violent incident involving Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. Authorities are continuing to investigate Neumayer’s case.