On May 19, Tel Aviv police arrested Joseph N. at his hotel shortly after a failed attempt to set fire to the U.S. embassy using Molotov cocktails.
Joseph N.’s plan was uncovered in a rather clumsy way. On May 19, he approached the embassy, got into an altercation with a security guard, spat at him, and then fled. However, Joseph N. left his backpack behind at the scene, which contained the prepared Molotov cocktails.
Israeli authorities deported the German-American man to New York, where he was arrested by the FBI. According to the bureau, before attempting to set fire to the embassy, the suspect posted on social media: “Join me when I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv” and “Death to America.” Other messages included threats to kill Donald Trump, the FBI claims.
Joseph N. is currently held in a detention center. He faces 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
