Nerdeen Kiswani is a Palestinian-American pro-Palestinian activist and organizer who recently found herself at the center of an alleged assassination plot that was foiled by U.S. law enforcement.Kiswani is co-founder and president of Within Our Lifetime, a pro-Palestinian activist group based in New York City. She has been an outspoken organizer of protests and demonstrations in support of Palestinian rights, especially since the recent conflict in Gaza. Her activism has made her one of the most high-profile figures in the U.S. pro-Palestine movement.The alleged plot against Kiswani was revealed earlier this week when the FBI and NYPD thwarted what authorities said was an imminent attempt on his life. A 26-year-old man from Hoboken, New Jersey, Alexander Heifler, was arrested after he was found with multiple Molotov cocktails and Molotov cocktail materials.Officials said the suspects discussed plans to attack Kiswani’s Staten Island home with an incendiary device. The plot was foiled when an undercover NYPD detective infiltrated a group chat where the suspect shared details of his intentions, leading to an arrest and disrupting the planned attack.The FBI told Kiswani and her attorney Thursday that agents learned there was an “imminent” threat to her life, but authorities did not immediately reveal a motive.The NYPD’s Racial and Ethnic Extremism Unit is credited with identifying and preventing the attacks before they occurred. City officials, including New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Police Chief Jessica Tish, condemned the planned attack and reiterated their commitment to protecting residents and political advocates.Kiswani has been involved in numerous protests and legal proceedings related to policing and political expression in New York. She said she planned to continue her activities despite the threats. Her organization Our Lives has played a prominent role in demonstrations and civil rights actions related to U.S. foreign policy and Palestinian rights.Authorities have charged Hefler with federal crimes, including unlawful manufacturing and possession of a destructive device, which could see him serve a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
