Feds Charge New Jersey Man in Molotov Plot Against Palestinian Activist Nerdeen Kiswani’s Brooklyn Home After NYPD Undercover Sting
Federal prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Alexander Heifler after an NYPD Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism unit undercover sting — which infiltrated a group chat and involved repeated in-person meetings — uncovered an alleged plot to throw a dozen Molotov cocktails at Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani’s Brooklyn home and two cars, including a February video call about Molotov training and a March 4 surveillance drive to her residence. On March 27, officers searching Heifler’s Hoboken home seized eight assembled Molotov cocktails (including a large Everclear bottle); Heifler, who is accused of affiliating with the New Jersey JDL 613 Brotherhood and discussing plans to flee to Israel, made an initial federal court appearance, while Kiswani, a 31‑year‑old co‑founder of Within Our Lifetime who lives at the home with her husband and infant son, said she had been warned of the imminent attack.
📌 Key Facts
- The plot was uncovered by a weeks‑long NYPD undercover sting in which an officer infiltrated a group chat and met the suspect repeatedly.
- The operation was led by the NYPD’s Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism unit within the counterterrorism bureau.
- On March 4 the suspect and the undercover officer conducted surveillance at Nerdeen Kiswani’s Brooklyn residence and discussed throwing a dozen Molotov cocktails at her home and two cars.
- Authorities executed a search of the suspect’s Hoboken residence on March 27 and recovered eight assembled Molotov cocktails, including a large Everclear bottle; the defendant made an initial appearance in federal court in New Jersey that same day.
- The defendant is identified as 26‑year‑old Alexander Heifler.
- Reporting describes Heifler as affiliated with the New Jersey‑based JDL 613 Brotherhood, said to be inspired by the original Jewish Defense League, which was linked to bombings and attempted assassinations of Arab American activists in the 1970s–80s.
- Earlier chronology includes a February video call in which Heifler discussed Molotov training, and prosecutors say he allegedly planned to flee to Israel after the attack.
- Nerdeen Kiswani, 31, is a Brooklyn‑based activist and co‑founder of Within Our Lifetime who lives at the targeted home with her husband and infant son; she said she was warned of the imminent attack, called such threats a 'constant possibility' for pro‑Palestine activists, and said she will continue her advocacy.
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed the city will not tolerate violent extremism in response to the plot.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms defendant’s full name and age as Alexander Heifler, 26.
- Identifies the group Heifler allegedly affiliates with as the New Jersey‑based JDL 613 Brotherhood and describes it as inspired by the original Jewish Defense League, which was linked to bombings and attempted assassinations of Arab American activists in the 1970s–80s.
- Reports that Heifler allegedly planned to flee to Israel after the attack.
- Adds detailed chronology: a February video call where Heifler discussed Molotov training; a March 4 surveillance drive with the undercover officer to Kiswani’s home; and a March 27 initial appearance in New Jersey federal court.
- Includes new quotes from Kiswani saying the plot is a 'constant possibility' for pro‑Palestine activists and from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowing not to tolerate violent extremism.
- Confirms the operation was a weeks‑long NYPD undercover sting in which an officer infiltrated a group chat and met the suspect repeatedly.
- Names the NYPD unit involved as the Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism unit within the counterterrorism bureau.
- Details that on March 4 the suspect and undercover officer conducted surveillance at Kiswani’s residence and discussed throwing a dozen Molotov cocktails at her home and two cars.
- Specifies that on March 27 officers executed a search at the suspect’s Hoboken residence and recovered eight assembled Molotov cocktails, including a large Everclear bottle.
- Provides direct quotes from Kiswani about being warned of the imminent attack and her intent to continue activism on behalf of Palestinian children.
- Clarifies that Kiswani is a 31‑year‑old Brooklyn‑based activist and co‑founder of Within Our Lifetime, living at the home with her husband and infant son.