U.S.-German citizen arrested for attempted firebombing of U.S. embassy in Israel
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Man arrested after allegedly attempting to ‘firebomb’ embassy office in Israel
The 28-year-old was deported back into the United States from Israel Sunday. Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, was deported after spitting on a guard. He allegedly left behind a backpack containing Molotov cocktails May 19. If convicted, Neumeyer could see a minimum of five years or maximum of 20 years in prison.
WASHINGTON — A man was arrested and charged in New York after allegedly planning to “destroy” the United States Embassy in Israel, the Department of Justice said Sunday.
Federal prosecutors in New York say Joseph Neumayer, a 28-year-old dual U.S. and German citizen, was deported from Israel back into the U.S. after spitting on a guard outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and leaving behind a backpack containing Molotov cocktails May 19.
He arrived in Israel sometime in April after traveling from the U.S. into Canada in early February, according to court records obtained by the Associated Press.
“The defendant is charged with attempting to firebomb the U.S. Embassy and making threats to President Trump,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “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.”
Social media possibly linked to Neumayer allegedly included posts threatening to assassinate Trump and mention of the attempt to “burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv,” according to the DOJ.
He was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport upon arrival back into the U.S. Saturday. He has since been detained.
The attack took place against the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza, now in its 19th month.
If convicted, Neumeyer could see a minimum of five years or maximum of 20 years in prison, and a minimum fine of $250,000.
American-German citizen arrested in NY accused of attempted firebombing on US embassy in Tel Aviv
Joseph Neumeyer, 28, is a dual American-German citizen. He is accused of trying to attack a branch of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. If convicted, he faces 5-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He was arrested at the hotel where he was staying and later deported from Israel to the United States, authorities say. He posted on his Facebook account, “Join me as I burn down the embassy inTel Aviv. Death to America,” prosecutors say.
NEW YORK — A dual American-German citizen appeared Sunday in Brooklyn federal court on charges that he attempted to attack a branch of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Joseph Neumeyer, 28, made his initial court appearance after FBI special agents arrested him at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the 28-year-old arrived in Israel in April.
Earlier this month, Neumeyer posted on his Facebook account, “Join me this afternoon in Tel Aviv we are burning down the US. embassy,” and “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America. Death to Americans and f-k the west,” according to the criminal complaint unsealed.
That same day, May 19, Neumeyer arrived outside the Branch Office of the Embassy of the United States in Tel Aviv carrying a backpack. Authorities say Neumeyer approached an Embassy guard and spat on the guard. The guard attempted to detain Neumeyer who uttered profanities before turning and fleeing, leaving his backpack behind.
Law enforcement officials recovered from Neumeyer’s backpack several bottles that had been turned into Molotov cocktails, the complaint said.
He was arrested at the hotel where he was staying and later deported from Israel to the U.S.
“This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
Neumeyer’s social media accounts also contained threatening posts that, among other things, called for the assassination of President Trump, according to prosecutors.
If convicted, Neumeyer faces 5-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
ABC News contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
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US-German dual citizen arrested for allegedly trying to firebomb US embassy
Joseph Neumayer, who was remanded after being arrested on arrival, spit on an embassy guard while passing, without provocation. The guard tried detaining him, but he broke free and escaped. He left a black backpack behind, where three Molotov cocktails were found. Officers later arrested him at his hotel.
Court documents said that on May 19 Joseph Neumayer, who was remanded after being arrested on arrival, spit on an embassy guard while passing, without provocation. The guard tried detaining him, but he broke free and escaped. He left a black backpack behind, where three Molotov cocktails were found. Officers later arrested him at his hotel.
Earlier, he posted online: “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f—k the west.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Neumeyer “is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department [of Justice] will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The defendant is charged with attempting to firebomb the U.S. Embassy and making threats to President [Donald] Trump,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “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.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was grateful “to our Israeli law enforcement partners, whose actions ensured no lives were lost and whose cooperation will permit Neumeyer [sic] to face justice here in the United States.”
US arrests citizen for attempted firebombing of embassy branch office in Israel
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Man with US and German citizenship is charged with trying to attack US Embassy in Tel Aviv
Joseph Neumeyer, 28, is originally from Colorado and has dual U.S. and German citizenship. He had made a series of threatening social media posts before attempting the attack, prosecutors say. The attack took place against the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza, now in its 19th month. During his first term, President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Federal prosecutors in New York said the man, Joseph Neumeyer, walked up to the embassy building on May 19 with a backpack containing Molotov cocktails but got into a confrontation with a guard and eventually ran away, dropping his backpack as the guard tried to grab him.
Law enforcement then tracked Neumeyer down to a hotel a few blocks away from the embassy and arrested him, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York.
The attack took place against the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza, now in its 19th month.
Neumeyer, 28, who is originally from Colorado and has dual U.S. and German citizenship, had traveled from the U.S. to Canada in early February and then arrived in Israel in late April, according to court records. He had made a series of threatening social media posts before attempting the attack, prosecutors said.
Israeli officials deported Neumeyer to New York on Saturday and he had an initial court appearance before a federal judge in Brooklyn on Sunday. His criminal complaint was unsealed Sunday.
Neumeyer’s court-appointed attorney, Jeff Dahlberg, declined to comment.
During his first term, President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite Palestinian objections and moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv.
The Associated Press
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/25/us-citizen-firebombing-us-embassy-israel