NYPD, FBI Thwart Firebomb Plot Targeting New York Palestinian Activist’s Home

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 27, 2026 1:33 PM ET

NYPD, FBI Thwart Firebomb Plot Targeting New York Palestinian Activist’s Home

A New Jersey man was arrested after a weekslong undercover probe into a plan to attack a Brooklyn home. Authorities said the suspect had been building Molotov cocktails to use against the residence of a prominent Palestinian activist.

Investigation and arrest

Federal complaint documents and NYPD statements say the operation involved an undercover officer. The suspect, identified as Andrew Heifler, was taken into custody at his Hoboken residence.

Officials said Heifler was found assembling Molotov cocktails. Agents executed a search warrant and recovered eight such devices.

Timeline of contacts and surveillance

In February, Heifler participated in an online video call with others, including an undercover officer.
The next day he met the undercover officer in person and described plans to vandalize the activist’s home.
On March 4, Heifler and the undercover officer drove to the activist’s residence to conduct surveillance.
Heifler discussed making up to a dozen Molotov cocktails and also suggested targeting cars parked nearby.

Evidence and technical findings

Investigators said Heifler brought a large bottle of Everclear and other components to his home. The complaint states he and the undercover officer assembled eight Molotov cocktails there.

FBI bomb technicians performed a preliminary analysis. Tests detected ethanol and classified the devices as destructive.

Charges and legal status

Heifler was charged in a federal criminal complaint with two firearms offenses. Online court records did not list a defense lawyer or an initial appearance date.

According to the complaint, Heifler told the undercover officer he planned to flee the country after the attack. He originally planned to leave at the end of April. He later said the departure would shift to mid-May.

Target and reaction

The intended victim is Nerdeen Kiswani, 31, a Brooklyn-based Palestinian activist and cofounder of Within Our Lifetime. She said an FBI official called her late Thursday to warn her the threat was imminent and that the suspect had been arrested.

Kiswani described feeling shocked but not surprised. She expressed relief that law enforcement intervened and noted such threats are a recurring risk for people who speak out on behalf of Palestine.