American arrested for attempted firebombing in Tel Aviv

Federal courts on Sunday unsealed a criminal complaint against a dual U.S.-German citizen accused of an attempted attack on the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv. A Facebook account believed to belong to Joseph Neumeyer, a 28-year-old man who entered Israel in April, posted threats against the United States and President Donald Trump. He also published a post encouraging others to join him in burning down the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

How far did he take his plan? At about 1:20 p.m. on May 19, Neumeyer approached the embassy in Tel Aviv on foot with a backpack containing three potentially lethal Molotov cocktails, according to the criminal complaint against him. Neumeyer spat at an embassy guard before attempting to cross the street. After the guard tried to stop him, Neumeyer fled, leaving his backpack behind. Members of an Israeli explosive ordinance disposal team arrived to secure the incendiary devices.

Law enforcement tracked Neumeyer to his hotel and detained him. Israel transferred Neumeyer to New York City on May 25, where he made his first court appearance. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that such violence will not be tolerated, and the defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

If Neumeyer is convicted, a federal judge will determine his sentence, which could range from five to 20 years in prison with a maximum fine of $250,000.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report in Compassion about an attack on Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.