Pro-Palestinian activist filed lawsuit alleging threats weeks before foiled firebomb plot

Pro-Palestinian Advocate Sues Zionist Group Over Threats Days Before Foiled Attack

A pro-Palestinian activist, Nerdeen Kiswani, who faced a targeted firebombing attempt, had previously initiated a federal lawsuit against the Betar Zionist Organization and its leaders. The suit, submitted on February 26, claimed a prolonged campaign of harassment, intimidation, and racially charged threats, including offers of cash for anyone harming her. This occurred weeks before the arrest of a New Jersey man accused of plotting to attack her residence with Molotov cocktails.

Kiswani, founder of the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime, has led protests in New York City supporting Palestinians in Gaza, including campus encampments urging divestment from Israel. The lawsuit details incidents where Betar USA allegedly offered a $1,000 reward to the public for physically attacking Kiswani, referencing a September 2024 Israeli military operation that caused explosions of pagers in Lebanon. It also mentions confrontations during demonstrations and efforts to petition the Trump administration to revoke her U.S. citizenship.

“For months, Zionist organizations like Betar … have encouraged violence against my family and me,” Kiswani stated in a social media post, emphasizing her refusal to cease advocacy for Palestinians.

Betar USA defended its actions, labeling Kiswani as “a violent terrorist who wants to globalize the intifada” and accusing her of using language that “targets Jews.” The two cases highlight escalating tensions since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, contributing to a surge in violent incidents within the U.S.

Alexander Heifler, the accused plotter, was arrested on Thursday and charged with unlawful possession and manufacturing of destructive devices. Court records reveal he met with an undercover NYPD officer in February, discussing the attack. Over subsequent weeks, Heifler allegedly shared the home address of Kiswani with the officer, along with information about vehicles parked outside. The complaint does not name Kiswani directly.

The NYPD stated it had identified and disrupted the attack, while the FBI discovered eight assembled Molotov cocktails at Heifler’s home during a search. The devices used ethanol as an ignition source. Heifler is linked to the Jewish Defense League, which the FBI classifies as a right-wing terrorist group. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted the investigation is ongoing but confirmed no immediate threat to the community.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the attack as “a chilling act of political violence,” acknowledging an alleged member of the Jewish Defense League’s offshoot was involved. Heifler’s court-appointed attorney has yet to respond to inquiries about the case. The timing of the lawsuit and the foiled attack underscores the link between organized intimidation and actual violence in the U.S. amid the ongoing conflict.