Man arrested after alleged firebomb plot targeting US embassy in Tel Aviv

A dual American and German citizen was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on May 25 after allegedly attempting to firebomb a branch office of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, according to a statement from the US Department of Justice.

The man, identified as 28-year-old Joseph Neumeyer, was initially detained in Israel on May 19 following a confrontation at the embassy’s branch office. The Justice Department said Neumeyer spit on a security guard in front of the building. When the guard attempted to detain him, Neumeyer broke free, abandoning the backpack he was carrying, Caliber.Az reports.

A subsequent search of the backpack revealed "three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails," the Justice Department said. Israeli authorities were able to trace Neumeyer to his hotel, where he was arrested later that day.

Neumeyer, who was deported to the US by Israeli officials, made threatening posts on social media, including one that read: “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f--- the west.” He also made threats to assassinate the US President Donald Trump, according to the Justice Department.

Neumeyer’s social media accounts, verified by NBC News, describe him as the founder and CEO of a company called Atlas Light Co., although it remains unclear what the company does. He also claims to have launched several startups. His recent Facebook posts express strong discontent with the West, particularly the United States and Trump.

He arrived in Israel last month, but did not approach the US Embassy until May 19. Authorities have not disclosed where he was staying or what he was doing in Israel prior to the incident.

“The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement following Neumeyer’s transfer to US custody.

FBI Director Kash Patel added, “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.”

If convicted, Neumeyer could face up to 20 years in prison.

His arrest comes just days after two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington were killed while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.

The suspect in that shooting, Elias Rodriguez, was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to videos taken at the scene and shared on social media, Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he was taken into custody.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke the day after the incident. Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling it a “horrifying antisemitic murder.”

By Sabina Mammadli