A pro-Palestinian activist refuses to condemn political violence after foiling a plot against him

Nerdeen Kiswani, a Palestinian-American activist, condemned what he called Zionist violence after investigators foiled a Molotov assassination plot on his life – but refused to condemn political violence as a whole.

In the past, Kiswani's organization, Within Our Lifetime (WOL), has come under scrutiny for refusing to denounce US-designated terrorist organizations.

“For many years, I and many other Palestinian organizers have been victims of harassment, threats, stalking,” Kiswani said at a press conference.

Undercover investigators stopped Alexander Heifler, 26, from planning to make and use Molotov cocktails against Kiswani late last month. According to court documents, Heifler had made about 12 weapons and was preparing to throw them at Kiswani's car and home.

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He also said that he believes that the Palestinian people have the right to do what they want.

“I believe that in accordance with international law, victims of genocide have the right to defend themselves, and I believe that the American people should be concerned about Zionist terrorist organizations trying to kill their critics on the streets of American cities.”

He did not specify whether self-defense included acts of violence.

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Nerdeen Kiswani, founder and leader of Internal Our Lifetime (WOL), a Palestinian-led civil society organization, speaks during a rally outside the AirTrain at Jamaica Station, during the National Day of Action in Queens, New York on Saturday, January 27, 2024. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Reacting to Kiswani's statement, Yuval David, a colleague of the Middle East Forum, a pro-Israel research group, said Kiswani's formation was not surprising.

““He refuses to condemn political violence, and he refuses to justify terrorism because he tries to manipulate the story to justify terrorism by calling it resistance,” said David.

David noted that Kiswani's organization has avoided condemning violence against Israel in the past.

WOL made headlines after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023 for its support against Israel, saying in an online message that “we are against the Zionists” and that “the liberation of Palestine requires the elimination of Zionism.”

David recalled WOL's message to its followers at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.

“A month after the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad [Kiswani] and his organization published maps of the Jewish organizations throughout New York City, which, he called, 'had blood on their hands.' And he told fans to, quote, 'know your enemy.' He said the map must be a call to every struggle that needs to be done,” said David.

The Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism said WOL shows “very blatant support for violence against the people of Israel by supporting terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.”

On the other hand, WOL said it is anti-Zionist, not antisemitic.

After news of the plot against Kiswani spread, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged viewers to condemn the violence across the board.

“We do not tolerate any kind of violent violence in this city. No one should face violence because of their political beliefs or their advocacy. And I am relieved that he is safe,” Mamdani said at a press conference.

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Split screen showing Hamas terrorists on the left, Hezbollah Radwan forces on the right. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images / Hassan Ammar/AP)

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When asked if he would condemn the political violence after the foiled conspiracy, Kiswani condemned the investigation.

“Since its inception, Fox News has not only glorified Israel's occupation of Palestine, it has spread lies that launched wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, resulting in over a million deaths, and is currently supporting Trump's war with Israel in Iran,” Kiswani told Fox News Digital.

“It is ironic that a news network that glorifies violence when it is done in the interests of American imperialism puts the burden on me, a Palestinian victim of a Zionist terrorist plot, to explain my view on political violence.”