American Citizen Charged with Attempted Firebombing of U.S. Embassy in Israel
Dual citizen Joseph Neumeyer arrested in Israel for allegedly plotting Molotov cocktail attack on U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.
An American citizen holding dual U.S. and German citizenship has been charged with attempting to attack the United States Embassy’s branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel, federal authorities announced on Sunday. Joseph Neumeyer, 28, was found near the embassy last week, allegedly carrying a backpack filled with several Molotov cocktails.
According to federal prosecutors, Neumeyer is facing charges of attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the U.S. diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv. “As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.
Neumeyer, a resident of Colorado, was deported from Israel following his arrest and appeared in federal court in New York on Sunday. He has been ordered held pending trial, according to court documents.
Authorities stated that Neumeyer arrived in Israel in April. On May 19, he reportedly posted a series of messages on Facebook in which he announced plans to attack the embassy. In one post cited in the criminal complaint, he wrote, “Join me this afternoon in Tel Aviv we are burning down the U.S. embassy… Death to America. Death to Americans and f--- the west.” Other social media posts allegedly called for violence against public figures including former President Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and organizations such as the United Kingdom’s Atomic Energy Authority.
On the same day that he made these online threats, prosecutors say Neumeyer approached the embassy’s branch office in Tel Aviv and spat on a security guard. When the guard attempted to detain him, Neumeyer reportedly shouted profanities and fled the scene, abandoning his backpack.
Upon inspection, authorities recovered several glass bottles inside the bag that had been converted into improvised incendiary devices—commonly known as Molotov cocktails—filled with flammable liquid. Israeli National Police, including members of an explosives disposal team, were called to safely secure the materials.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen commented, “Neumeyer not only made threats against Americans and U.S. diplomatic missions, but also allegedly attempted to carry out those threats by bringing potentially deadly devices to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. Let his arrest carry an unmistakable message: The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
Neumeyer was later located at a hotel where he was staying and taken into custody. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Requests for comment from the White House and from Neumeyer’s federal public defender have so far gone unanswered.
