Man arrested for attempted bombing attack of the US embassy in Israel
Neumayer made an initial court appearance before a federal judge in New York City and was ordered detained, the Justice Department said. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
"This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump's life," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. "The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law."
The arrest came just days after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. On the evening of May 21, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were killed after leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
The suspect in the shooting, Elias Rodriguez, 31, faces federal and local murder charges along with firearms offenses, authorities said on May 22. U.S. and Israeli officials have condemned the shooting, with Deputy FBI Director Don Bongino calling it an "act of targeted violence."
In response to the incident, Israeli embassies immediately increased security measures, USA TODAY previously reported.
'Free Mahmoud': Columbia students boo university president at graduation over Palestinian activist arrest
Criminal complaint: Neumayer made threatening social media posts before attempting attack
Neumayer arrived in Israel in April, according to the complaint. He then allegedly traveled to the branch office of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on May 19 with a backpack containing three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices, known as Molotov cocktails, the complaint states.
"Without provocation, Neumeyer spit on an Embassy guard as he walked past," the Justice Department said. "Neumeyer managed to break free as the guard attempted to detain him, leaving behind his backpack."
Law enforcement officials in Israel searched the backpack, in which they discovered the Molotov cocktails, and later tracked Neumeyer to his hotel, according to the complaint. He was arrested and Israeli authorities returned him to the U.S. on May 25.
A further investigation into Neumayer revealed that earlier in the day on May 19, he posted on social media, saying "join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f---k the west," the complaint states.
Federal prosecutors added that investigators believe a social media account used by Neumeyer also allegedly showed that he made posts threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump.
What we know: Suspect in shooting outside Jewish museum in DC faces local, federal charges
Recent incidents come amid ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas
The recent incidents come amid growing criticism against Israel after it announced plans to intensify its military campaign against Hamas and to control Gaza, which has been devastated by air and ground operations. More than 53,000 people have been killed and nearly all residents in Gaza have been displaced since the start of the war, according to local health authorities.
The war has increased tensions between Israel and much of the international community. Relations were further strained last week when Israeli soldiers fired warning shots near a diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank, with Italy and France both summoning Israeli ambassadors to explain what happened, according to Reuters.
Incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia in response to the war have also surged across the United States, putting law enforcement agencies on high alert. Advocacy groups have reported a record number of discrimination and hate incidents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the May 21 shooting "a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism," saying the incident was connected to the increasingly hostile climate facing Israel over the war in Gaza. Netanyahu himself faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israeli politicians have condemned as part of a wider effort to delegitimize the state of Israel.
Contributing: Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
18 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Trinity College Dublin to divest from links with Israeli universities and firms
The board of the prestigious Dublin university, home to over 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, made the decision to divest from Israeli links on Wednesday. Pro-Palestinian activists have called on other Irish universities to follow suit. 🇵🇸TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN JUST AGREED TO FULL DIVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL AND THE CUTTING OF ALL ACADEMIC TIES🇵🇸 — Jenny 🇵🇸 (@jennymaguir) June 4, 2025 Last May, students formed an encampment at Trinity in protest against a 214,285 euro fine imposed on the students' union after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, and the university's ties to Israel. Following engagement with the protesters, the college dropped the fine and said it would complete a divestment from Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN blacklist. The students dismantled the camp after Trinity said it would 'endeavour' to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which remained in place until March this year for contractual reasons. On Wednesday, Trinity's board received a report from a taskforce set up last October to examine academic and institutional links, including with Israel. Although the report is to return to the board later this year for its final consideration, based on 'the strength of the evidence shared', the board accepted the report's recommendations in relation to links with Israel. This included recommendations that the college enter into no Erasmus, collaborative research or supply agreements with Israeli universities, institutions or firms. The college has two current Erasmus+ exchange agreements, on an inbound basis only since September 2023, with Israeli universities: the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which ends in July 2025, and Bar Ilan University, which ends in July 2026. The taskforce also found that the college is engaged in a number of EU-funded research consortia which include Israeli partners, and – although none of these were found to be breaching international humanitarian law or human rights – the taskforce said Trinity should not seek to participate in any new institutional research agreements involving Israeli participation. It also said that Trinity should look to 'align itself' with like-minded universities and bodies in an effort to influence EU policy concerning Israel's participation in such collaborations. The taskforce noted that Trinity had divested from Israeli companies on the UN blacklist and has no current supply contracts with Israeli companies. But it recommended that the college should fully divest from all companies headquartered in Israel and that it should not enter into any future supply contracts with Israeli firms. The taskforce accepted that the college's existing intellectual property-related contracts are acceptable as they are not collaborative, but said no new commercial relationships with Israeli entities should be set up. Chairwoman of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Zoe Lawlor said the decision by Trinity was a 'landmark step in academic rejection of apartheid Israel's regime'. She called on more Irish universities to do the same and paid tribute to students, academics and staff who campaigned for this outcome. 'Trinity will now stand on the right side of history, as it did with South African apartheid in the past, but it is nevertheless disappointing that it took so long to get to this position,' she said. 'We echo the view of TCD Students' Union that it remains disappointing that Trinity has not withdrawn from ongoing projects involving Israeli partners who provide military technology and training that will run until 2029. 'Nonetheless, we celebrate each and every step towards de-normalising relations with the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel. We call on the Irish Government and the EU to pay heed to the changing climate, and to act to bring an end to all Irish state complicity with the apartheid regime.' The taskforce, chaired by former president of the High Court Mary Irvine, met on 14 occasions and received 77 submissions in total.
Sky News
28 minutes ago
- Sky News
UK 'appalled' by reports of Palestinians killed while trying to reach new Gaza aid sites
The government has said it is "appalled" by reports of Palestinians being killed while trying to access aid sites in Gaza. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told the Commons on Wednesday afternoon that Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are "inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians". The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the US, opened new aid centres last week in Gaza after an 11-week aid blockade, but they have been highly criticised as Palestinians have been killed and injured while waiting at the centres. The Hamas-run health ministry claimed 27 Palestinians were killed at a centre in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Tuesday and more than 90 people were injured in what it called a "massacre". However, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said accusations that the Israeli military shot at civilians were "completely unfounded and false". Mr Falconer said: "We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. "Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families. We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account." He said it is "deeply disturbing" the incidents happened near the new aid distribution sites. "Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians," he said. "Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end - it is inhumane. Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity." The minister said the UN Security Council is expected to consider a resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. On Wednesday morning, GHF announced it was temporarily closing its three distribution sites "for renovations, organisation, and efficiency improvements". The IDF said "travel is prohibited via the roads leading to the distribution centres, which are considered combat zones". On Sunday, at least 31 people were reported to have been killed near the same aid distribution centre, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry - but the IDF said they were "false reports". PM: Gaza facing dark days Sir Keir Starmer, speaking as pro-Palestine protesters surrounded parliament on Wednesday, said Gaza is facing "dark days" and vowed to consider "further action" against Israel. He used Prime Minister's Questions to describe the Israeli government's conduct in Gaza as "counter productive and intolerable". 0:37 The government, he said, has "strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence, and the blocking of humanitarian aid". Sir Keir said the government "will keep looking at further action along with our allies, including sanctions". "But let me be absolutely clear; we need to get back to a ceasefire," he said. Corbyn calls for UK involvement inquiry Later on Wednesday afternoon, former Labour leader and now-independent MP Jeremy Corbyn demanded a public inquiry into the UK's involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza. He introduced the bill, which will get a second reading on 4 July after no MPs opposed it. The long-time supporter of Palestine had been hoping for a vote, obtained if anybody opposed it, in the hope of forcing Labour MPs to vote against the government.
NBC News
31 minutes ago
- NBC News
Former Biden White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says she is leaving the Democratic party
WASHINGTON — Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, a prominent fixture in Democratic politics and the face of the Biden administration for years, is leaving the party and registering as an independent, according to a press release about her upcoming book. Jean-Pierre "didn't come to her decision to be an Independent lightly," said the release from the book's publisher, Hachette. In her book, "Independent: A look inside a broken White House, outside the party lines," Jean-Pierre "shares why Americans must step beyond party lines to embrace life as Independents," the release added. The book is set to be released in October. Jean-Pierre's decision comes as the Democrats have grappled with losing the White House and both chambers of Congress in November. A recent book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson on Biden's 2024 run added fodder to criticisms about the former president's decision to seek re-election despite concerns about his age and health. The description of Jean-Pierre's book jabs at the Democratic Party's decisions during the summer of 2024, including 'the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to' Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race. 'Until January 20, I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the President of the United States. At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country,' Jean-Pierre said in a statement for Legacy Lit, which is part of Hatchette. 'I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes.' A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee declined to comment on Jean-Pierre leaving the party. A spokesperson for Biden's personal office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Biden named Jean-Pierre press secretary in 2022 after former press secretary Jen Psaki left the White House to anchor an MSNBC show. Jean-Pierre served as the top White House spokesperson through the remainder of Biden's term. She was the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as White House press secretary. Jean-Pierre has a long history of working for top Democrats. Prior to her stint in the Biden White House, Jean-Pierre was the chief of staff to then-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She also worked for former President Barack Obama during his presidential campaigns. Jean-Pierre said in a video posted to Instagram that she decided to 'follow my own compass,' urging people to 'stop thinking in boxes' and 'not be so partisan.'
