German American Arrested in Israel for Allegedly Attempting to Firebomb US Embassy

The man had allegedly made several online threats prior to being arrested.

Families of Israeli soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group demonstrate outside the U.S. Embassy's branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 7, 2024. Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

A dual U.S. and German citizen was arrested on allegations of attempting to firebomb the U.S. Embassy’s branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to a May 25 statement by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Earlier today, Joseph Neumeyer, a dual U.S. and German citizen was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport by FBI special agents and a complaint was unsealed in the Eastern District of New York charging Neumeyer with attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the Branch Office of the United States Embassy located in Tel Aviv, Israel,” the DOJ stated.

The U.S. Embassy was moved to Jerusalem from the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term.

Neumeyer, 28, was arrested and deported to the United States by Israeli authorities. He has been ordered detained following his initial court appearance.

According to the DOJ statement, Neumeyer arrived in Israel in April and, on May 19, was involved in a scuffle with an embassy guard.

Neumeyer, without provocation, allegedly spat on the guard as he walked past. He broke free after the guard attempted to detain him, according to the DOJ. The guard managed to confiscate Neumeyer’s backpack, revealing “three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails,” the DOJ stated.  Flammable fluid was allegedly found in the devices.

Neumeyer was subsequently arrested at his hotel, according to the DOJ.

“Neumeyer’s social media revealed that earlier in the day, on May 19, he posted, ‘join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and [expletive] the west,’” the DOJ statement said, adding that other social media accounts allegedly belonging to Neumeyer posted messages threatening to assassinate Trump.

FBI director Kash Patel said in a May 25 post on social media platform X, “Joining our partners, I can confirm that today FBI agents arrested Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, on allegations of planning to firebomb the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel — as well as threats made against President Trump’s life on social media.”

If found guilty, Neumeyer faces a prison sentence of five to 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life.

“The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said the potentially lethal devices carried by Neumeyer “sought to cause chaos and destruction” at the embassy.

According to the DOJ statement, the FBI’s legal attaché’s office in Israel provided substantial assistance. The FBI Washington Field Office and the FBI New York Field Office are currently investigating the case.

On May 21, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were fatally shot while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington.

The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, a research assistant, and Sarah Milgrim, who coordinated trips and missions for Israel. The pair were planning to get married soon in Jerusalem.

The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” as he was detained by authorities.

The Epoch Times reached out to Neumeyer’s court-appointed attorney, Jeff Dahlberg, for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.