FBI agents arrested a 28-year-old man at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Sunday. Joseph Neumayer, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, is accused of trying to set fire to a U.S. Embassy office in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Neumayer was initially taken into custody in Israel and then deported back to the U.S. He now faces a detention order issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in the Eastern District of New York.
According to the Department of Justice, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April 2025. His first recorded incident with Israeli authorities happened on May 19, when he allegedly spat on an Embassy guard. The complaint states that he was carrying a dark-colored backpack at the time.
As Neumayer walked past the guard, he spat without any provocation. When the guard tried to detain him, Neumayer escaped, leaving his backpack behind. A search of the backpack revealed three homemade incendiary devices, commonly known as Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement later tracked him to his hotel and arrested him.
Social media posts linked to Neumayer showed alarming statements, including a message earlier that day where he urged others to join him in burning down the embassy, declaring, “Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west.” There were also threats against President Trump found on his social media accounts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Neumayer is charged with planning a serious attack on the embassy and making threats against Americans and the President. She emphasized that the government would pursue this case rigorously.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, highlighting the seriousness of Neumayer’s intentions and the potential danger posed by the devices he carried. He noted that Neumayer was returned to the U.S. by Israeli authorities just before his arrest at JFK Airport.
If convicted, Neumayer faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will decide his sentence based on federal guidelines and other factors.
This case underscores the ongoing threats to U.S. interests abroad and the commitment of law enforcement to address such dangers swiftly.