Arrest Prevents Alleged Plot Against Pro-Palestinian Activist

(MENAFN) The New York Police Department (NYPD) and the FBI apprehended a member of a pro-Israel extremist group, thwarting what authorities described as a scheme to assassinate a pro-Palestinian figure, according to reports from media outlets on Friday.

Alexander Heifler, 26, faces federal charges for making and possessing Molotov cocktails, which investigators said he intended to employ in the planned assassination. The criminal complaint, however, did not clarify the motive behind the intended attack.

Officials stated that Heifler was detained at his residence in the neighboring state of New Jersey, following a search by detectives and federal agents that uncovered eight Molotov cocktails.

Law enforcement sources identified Heifler as part of a faction of the Jewish Defense League, a pro-Israel organization designated by the FBI as a terrorist group. Court documents revealed that an undercover operation exposed Heifler’s plot to target New York’s most prominent pro-Palestinian activist, Nerdeen Kiswani.

Investigators indicated that Heifler had been planning the attack since at least February, when he discussed constructing and deploying Molotov cocktails for "self-defense" during a group video call that included an undercover officer.

The criminal complaint detailed that the undercover officer met Heifler in person the following day and subsequently two more times over the next few weeks. During their final meeting on Thursday, they assembled the eight Molotov cocktails together at Heifler’s home, shortly before his arrest.

MENAFN28032026000045017167ID1110912648