Federal authorities have arrested a dual U.S.–German citizen accused of attempting to firebomb the former U.S. embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Justice Department announced Sunday that 28 year old Joseph Neumayer was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after being deported by Israeli officials.
According to a Justice Department press release, Neumayer traveled to Israel in April and allegedly approached the U.S. embassy’s former Tel Aviv location last week carrying a backpack. He is accused of spitting on an embassy guard and fleeing the scene, leaving the backpack behind. Authorities say the bag contained three Molotov cocktails.
Israeli officials reportedly tracked Neumayer to his hotel and arrested him. He was then deported to the U.S., where FBI agents took him into custody upon arrival.
The Justice Department also claims Neumayer used a social media account to promote violent anti-American rhetoric. One post allegedly read: “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f** the West.”* He is also accused of posting threats to assassinate President Donald Trump.
FBI Director Kash Patel condemned Neumayer’s actions in a statement: “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.”
Neumayer appeared before a judge on Sunday and was ordered held without bond. As of Sunday afternoon, the criminal complaint had not been made publicly available, and the Department of Justice did not respond to media requests for further details.
The Tel Aviv location served as the U.S. embassy until 2018, when it was officially moved to Jerusalem during the Trump administration.
