Dual Citizen Arrested in⁤ US for Alleged Tel Aviv⁤ Embassy Attack Plot

‍ Updated May 25, ⁣2025

A ‍dual⁣ U.S. and ⁣German citizen,‍ Joseph Neumayer, 28, was arrested Sunday at John ⁢F. Kennedy Airport in New York, accused of attempting ⁣to burn down the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to the Justice department. Israeli authorities deported Neumayer after discovering him near the embassy with explosive devices⁤ in his⁤ backpack.

Neumayer appeared in court Sunday and remains in jail. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that Neumayer is charged with planning a “devastating attack” on the embassy, including threats against‍ Americans and former President Trump.

Federal⁤ officials said ⁢neumayer arrived in Israel ⁢in April. On May 19, he allegedly approached the U.S. Embassy‍ in Tel⁤ Aviv with a dark backpack and spat on a guard. When the guard attempted to stop him,⁢ Neumayer fled, leaving behind a⁤ backpack containing three Molotov ⁤cocktails, which are‍ small⁣ bombs designed to ignite fires.

Police apprehended Neumayer at his hotel, according ⁤to the Justice department. Authorities say he had posted on social ‍media his intent to “burn down the‍ embassy in Tel Aviv” and called for “death to America, death to Americans.” Officials ⁣also allege Neumayer threatened to assassinate Trump on⁣ another social⁣ media account.

Neumayer faces a maximum sentence of 20⁤ years in prison if convicted of the charges related to the Tel Aviv ⁣embassy attack.

What’s next

Neumayer’s case ⁣will proceed through the legal system,with potential hearings and a trial to ⁤determine his guilt or innocence regarding the alleged embassy attack plot and⁤ related threats.