2025-05-25T18:27:00Z

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A man was apprehended at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on Sunday after allegedly attempting to firebomb a branch office of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, as stated in a recent announcement by the Justice Department.

The suspect, identified as Joseph Neumayer, is a 28-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Germany. He was initially detained in Israel on May 19 following a tense confrontation with a security guard in front of the embassy earlier on that same day, according to details provided by authorities.

During the investigation, officials discovered a backpack that Neumayer had left behind at the embassy. A thorough search of the backpack uncovered three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices, commonly referred to as Molotov cocktails, raising serious concerns about his intentions.

The Justice Department also disclosed that Neumayer had made inflammatory posts on social media, explicitly calling for violence. In one disturbing message, he stated, “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f--- the west.” Such statements have drawn significant attention from law enforcement, highlighting the serious nature of his intentions.

Additionally, Neumayer allegedly made threats on social media to assassinate former President Donald Trump, which only exacerbated the gravity of his actions and intentions.

The White House has not yet issued a response to a request for comment from NBC News regarding this incident. However, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi made a firm statement, emphasizing that “The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.” This declaration underscores the commitment of U.S. officials to combat threats of violence against embassies and diplomatic missions.

FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the matter, stating, “This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions.” This reflects a broader commitment to ensuring safety and security for diplomatic personnel and facilities both domestically and internationally.

Neumayer was deported back to the United States by Israeli authorities, and if convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years. His arrest comes at a time of heightened tension, particularly following a tragic incident just days earlier, when two staffers from the Israeli Embassy in Washington were killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.

The suspect in that shooting, identified as Elias Rodriguez, has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Eyewitness accounts and videos shared on social media show Rodriguez shouting “Free, free Palestine” upon his arrest, raising questions about the motivations behind the violent act.

In a related context, former President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke the day after the shooting incident. Netanyahu condemned the act as a “horrifying antisemitic murder,” reflecting ongoing concerns regarding violence and antisemitism in various parts of the world.