Federal law enforcement agencies foiled an alleged plot to assassinate Nerdine Kiswani, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist, in New York on Thursday night, according to a federal law enforcement official and the activist’s attorney, The New York Times reports.
The FBI told Nerdine Kiswani late Thursday that one or more arrests were made in connection with an imminent threat to his life. His attorney said investigators have not identified suspects or disclosed a possible motive.
A federal law enforcement official based in New Jersey confirmed the foiling of a plot targeting Kiswani but refrained from disclosing further details.
The New York Police Department and the FBI conducted a search in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Thursday and made at least one arrest related to the investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter. Charges were expected to be announced later Friday.
“The FBI conducted court-authorised law enforcement activity in the vicinity of Willow Avenue and Clinton Street in Hoboken, NJ,” the FBI’s New York office said in a statement Friday. “The investigation is still ongoing and no additional details can be provided at this time.”
In a statement to the NYT, Kiswani said that FBI agents told him on Thursday night that “there was going to be a plot against my life”.
She said, “I will have more to say as additional details emerge. I will never stop speaking out for the people of Palestine. Thank you for your support.”
Late last night the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force informed me that there was going to be a plot against my life and that agents had conducted an operation in Hoboken related to this plot. For months, Zionist organizations like Betar and politicians like Randy Fine…
Who is Nerdin Kiswani?
Kiswani, 31, cofounded the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime, which has organised several demonstrations highlighting Palestinian suffering during Israel’s war in Gaza. The group has drawn attention for its confrontational rhetoric and disruptive protests in New York, including prompting authorities to close Grand Central Terminal.
WOL provides its funding through a fiscal sponsorship arrangement with the Westchester nonprofit Wespac. After October 7, 2023, WOL reportedly supported the Hamas attack on Instagram. Meta permanently deleted his accounts in February 2024 for violating its “Dangerous Organisations and Individuals Policy”.
In 2026, Kiswani filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Betar USA, a right-wing Zionist group, alleging harassment and intimidation, The Times of Israel reported. Despite repeated claims to the contrary, he has no role in Mayor Mamdani’s administration.
