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Man arrested in plot to firebomb Brooklyn Palestinian activist's home

A New Jersey man was arrested after an NYPD undercover operation found him assembling Molotov cocktails to attack Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani's Brooklyn residence.

Mar 27th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Andrew Heifler, 26, was arrested in New Jersey while assembling Molotov cocktails intended for activist Nerdeen Kiswani's Brooklyn home.
  • An NYPD undercover detective infiltrated a group chat and conducted a weekslong operation that led to the arrest.
  • Heifler discussed making multiple Molotov cocktails, surveilling Kiswani's residence, and fleeing the country, according to a federal complaint.
  • Officers executed a search warrant at Heifler's Hoboken residence and recovered eight Molotov cocktails and flammable components including a large bottle of Everclear.
  • Heifler is charged with making and possessing destructive devices, charges that each carry a maximum 10 year prison sentence.
  • The case was handled by the NYPD Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism unit within the counterterrorism bureau and Kiswani was notified that the threat was disrupted.