FBI, NYPD Foil Firebomb Plot Targeting Palestinian Activist’s Home
Authorities in New York said they arrested a New Jersey man Thursday. He planned to firebomb the home of Brooklyn-based Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani.
Arrest and charges
Federal agents and NYPD worked with an undercover officer. They arrested Andrew Heifler as he assembled Molotov cocktails.
Heifler was charged in a criminal complaint with two firearms offenses. Online court records did not list his lawyer or a first court appearance.
Investigation details
The operation unfolded over several weeks and involved prolonged contact with an undercover official. Heifler discussed the plot repeatedly during that time.
In February he joined a video call with a group that included an undercover law enforcement officer. He spoke about training for self-defense and wanting a space to throw Molotov cocktails.
The next day he met the undercover officer in person. He said he had Kiswani’s address and planned to vandalize her home.
On March 4, Heifler and the undercover officer drove to Kiswani’s residence to conduct surveillance. They discussed making a dozen Molotov cocktails and targeting cars parked nearby.
On Thursday the pair met at Heifler’s Hoboken residence. He carried a large bottle of Everclear and other components to make incendiary devices.
After building eight Molotov cocktails, law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized the devices. FBI bomb technicians detected ethanol and deemed the items destructive devices.
Victim response
Nerdeen Kiswani, 31, co-founded Within Our Lifetime and is based in Brooklyn. She said an FBI official called late Thursday to notify her agents had intercepted a threat.
Kiswani described feeling shell-shocked but not surprised by the targeting. She said such risks are an ongoing danger for those who speak for Palestine.
Agency statement
The FBI and NYPD said they foiled a firebomb plot targeting a Palestinian activist’s home. Investigators continue to develop the case.
