A New Jersey Jewish man has been arrested after allegedly plotting a firebomb attack targeting controversial activist Nerdeen Kiswani, one of the most prominent leaders of the pro-Palestine protest movement that surged after the October 7 attacks.

Federal authorities say 26-year-old Alexander Heifler was caught in an undercover sting after assembling multiple Molotov cocktails and conducting surveillance on Kiswani’s home. Law enforcement intervened just before the attack could be carried out, preventing what officials described as a potentially deadly act of political violence.

According to investigators, Heifler allegedly identified with the “JDL 613 Brotherhood,” a fringe offshoot modeled after the original Jewish Defense League, not the official or historic JDL organization.

Kiswani, founder of Within Our Lifetime, has become a deeply polarizing figure since October 7, helping lead aggressive anti-Israel demonstrations across New York City. She has publicly pushed slogans such as “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely condemned by critics as inciting violence against Jews worldwide.

Brooke Goldstein, Executive Director of the Law Fare Project, said: “Kiswani isn’t a “Palestinian rights activist.” She’s a propagandist that promotes the ideals of a foreign-designated terrorist organization. She praises Hamas commanders, justifies mass murder as “resistance,” disrupts hospitals, and chants “Globalize the intifada.” She has made it crystal clear: she wants Israel gone and has no problem with violence to get there.”

Following the arrest, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the incident in a statement on X.

Mamdani described the suspect as allegedly tied to the JDL, which he said has been designated by the FBI as a “known violent extremist organization.” He called the attempted attack “a chilling act of political violence” and an apparent assassination plot.

The mayor also stated that the suspect planned to flee to Israel after carrying out the attack.

“I am thankful that the NYPD and FBI thwarted this plot, which could have endangered Nerdeen’s life and those of other New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote. “We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy.”

He concluded by calling for unity, saying New York must “meet hate with solidarity” and remain committed to justice.

Despite being the target of the plot, Kiswani remains a highly controversial figure. Supporters frame her as an activist, while critics argue her rhetoric — especially calls to escalate “intifada” globally — has fueled hostility and unrest at a time of heightened tensions.

The FBI and NYPD credited their counterterrorism teams with stopping the attack before anyone was harmed, highlighting growing concerns over politically motivated violence in the United States.