A 45-year-old man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, faces a federal hate crime charge after allegedly attacking a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder on Sunday.
According to an FBI affidavit, Soliman expressed a desire to “kill all Zionist people” and planned the attack for a year.
Attack Details and Victims
Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails at the “Run for Their Lives” demonstration, shouting “Free Palestine.” Twelve people, ages 52 to 88, were burned; at least two remain hospitalized. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn noted that authorities initially reported eight victims, but four more came forward.
Suspect’s Background and Arrest
Soliman, who lived in El Paso County, Colorado, was arrested at the scene. He allegedly learned to make firebombs online and targeted the event after searching for it on the internet. He’s being held on a $10 million bond and faces state charges of attempted murder, assault, and possession of an incendiary device.
Community Reacts to Attack
The attack shocked Boulder’s Jewish community. Linda Foster of Jewish Family Services called the incident “disillusioning” and “brutal.” Rabbi Marc Soloway said six victims were members of Congregation Bonai Shalom; two remain hospitalized, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor.
Witnesses Describe Horror
Witness Lisa Turnquist, a regular at the protests, helped extinguish flames on a victim’s legs. She said Soliman appeared suspicious in landscaping clothes and carried a sprayer. “All he had to do would have been to spray me,” she said.
Government Response and Security Concerns
Governor Jared Polis called the attack part of a disturbing trend of antisemitic violence. The Department of Justice charged Soliman with a federal hate crime. Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell emphasized that “no one should be subjected to violence because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
Jewish Organizations on Alert
The Community Security Service, which trains Jewish communities in self-defense, is ramping up efforts. “We have to be vigilant,” said CEO Richard Priem. His organization has trained 15,000 people across the country.
Additional Details
Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in 2022 and overstayed it. Authorities found 16 unused firebombs at the scene. The FBI labeled the attack a “terrorist incident,” though Soliman has not been formally charged with terrorism.
Political Fallout
Donald Trump blamed Biden’s border policies, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as “antisemitic” and praised U.S. authorities for acting swiftly.
Community Perseverance
Despite the trauma, the Jewish Community Center and others vowed to continue their events, with increased security.
“When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken,” center officials wrote. “Our hope is that we come together for one another.”
For more updates on the survivors and this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.