A 28-year-old man with dual US and German citizenship has been arrested for allegedly attempting to attack the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The suspect, Joseph Neumayer, was deported by Israeli authorities after being caught near the embassy with explosive items in his backpack. He was arrested on Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York upon arrival and immediately taken into custody.
The US Department of Justice said Neumayer is facing serious charges for planning an attack that could have caused major damage and loss of life. “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life,” said US Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Neumayer first arrived in Israel in April. On 19 May, he reportedly went to the US embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a dark-colored backpack. According to officials, he spat on an embassy guard and ran away when confronted. The guard found the backpack he left behind, which contained three Molotov cocktails—homemade firebombs meant to start fires upon impact.
Police later arrested Neumayer at his hotel in Tel Aviv.
Investigations revealed that Neumayer had posted violent threats on social media before the incident. He allegedly wrote messages calling for “death to America” and saying he planned to “burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv.” Authorities also said he made online threats against former US President Donald Trump.
Following his deportation, Neumayer appeared in court in New York on Sunday and is now being held in jail. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
This attempted attack comes just days after another disturbing incident involving US and Israeli interests. Last Wednesday, two Israeli nationals—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim—were shot dead outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. The shooter, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, reportedly shouted “free Palestine” after firing the shots.
The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about rising threats targeting US and Israeli diplomatic missions.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is expected to attend a memorial event in Israel on Monday to honor the couple killed in Washington.
As investigations continue, US officials have vowed to take strong action against anyone who threatens diplomatic missions or spreads violent ideologies.
