US Man Charged in Firebomb Plot Linked to Extremist Jewish Group
A man facing charges for allegedly plotting to firebomb the home of a pro-Palestine activist has ties to the JDL 613 Brotherhood, an organization whose leaders endorse violence against Palestinians and have provided a platform for a convicted terrorist. This group, which draws inspiration from the extremist Jewish Defense League, has also displayed intense hostility toward New York's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, in its video recordings.
Arrest and Group Connections
Alexander Heifler, identified by law enforcement as a member of JDL 613, was arrested last month after FBI and New York Police Department agents thwarted an alleged plan to attack activist Nerdeen Kiswani's residence using molotov cocktails. The Guardian reached out to JDL 613 for comment, sending detailed questions to founder Yisrael Yaacob Ben Avraham and another member known as Eliezer Ben Avraham. Only Yisrael Yaacob responded, stating that Heifler was a member for a short time and emphasizing that the group does not condone illegal violence, with members signing an anti-terrorism statement.
In a February filing, JDL 613 LLC listed Michael J Murphy as the sole member, but Yisrael Yaacob denied this was his legal name and claimed Murphy is not part of the organization. Since Heifler's arrest, Yisrael Yaacob has adopted a defiant stance in public statements, praising Meir Kahane, founder of the Jewish Defense League, which the FBI once labeled a right-wing terrorist group. The number 613 in the group's name refers to the commandments in Judaism.
Ideology and Historical Context
JDL 613 promotes a violent form of Jewish ultra-nationalism, continuing the legacy of the original JDL. Arie Perliger, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and expert on Jewish extremism, noted that Kahane's ideology centered on retaliation against hostility toward Jews, though it remains a minority view within the Jewish community. Despite current tensions, support for such extremism is limited.
In a video statement after Heifler's arrest, Yisrael Yaacob condemned illegal violence but urged New Yorkers to support Jewish self-defense rights and criticized Mayor Mamdani for what he called dangerous double standards. He also targeted Kiswani, accusing her group, Within Our Lifetime, of disrupting public spaces and harassing Jews, claims Kiswani denies, stating her criticism is directed at Zionism, not Judaism.
Extremist Rhetoric and Actions
JDL 613's podcasts and videos feature eliminationist language. In a December podcast, Eliezer Ben Avraham asserted there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, referencing the biblical nation Amalek that was ordered destroyed. Yisrael Yaacob echoed this, describing Palestinian Americans as vile and evil. When asked about these comments, Yisrael Yaacob stood by his statements.
The group aligns itself with the historical JDL, founded by Meir Kahane, which carried out bombings and other violent acts in the US. Kahane later founded the Kach party in Israel, banned for inciting racism, but his ideology has gained traction in modern Israeli politics, with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir leading Kahanist movements. JDL 613, registered in New Jersey in February 2026, aims to revive Kahane's vision, though its membership numbers remain unclear.
Leadership Backgrounds
Yisrael Yaacob Ben Avraham, a convert from Catholicism, founded JDL 613 in late 2024 after a personal journey involving drug use and conversion to Judaism. He has called for pre-emptive violence, citing Talmudic teachings. Eliezer Ben Avraham, also a convert, served prison time for violent crimes and was radicalized by Kahane's works while incarcerated. He has advocated for the annihilation of Palestinians and expulsion of Arabs from Israel.
The group has hosted Chaim Ben Pesach, a former JDL chairman convicted for bombings, who now fundraises for the Hilltop Youth, a settler movement designated as violent. Ben Pesach has labeled Mayor Mamdani a Muslim terrorist, a characterization Yisrael Yaacob supports. Rabbi Moshe Parry, a contributor, has provided theological justifications for expelling non-Jews from Israel.
JDL 613's activities highlight ongoing tensions in US extremism, with leaders leveraging current events to promote a militant agenda while distancing themselves from illegal acts. The group's small but vocal presence underscores broader issues of hate and violence in political discourse.
