Pro-Israel Demonstration in Boulder Attacked, Raising Concerns of Rising Antisemitism

On June 1, 2025, a violent attack disrupted a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, leaving multiple individuals injured and raising concerns about rising antisemitism in the United States.

The incident occurred during a "Run For Their Lives" event at the Pearl Street Mall, organized to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Witnesses reported that the suspect, 45-year-old Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, approached the gathering and, while shouting "Free Palestine," used a makeshift flamethrower and threw incendiary devices into the crowd. The attack resulted in injuries to 12 individuals aged between 52 and 88, including a Holocaust survivor and a university professor. Soliman himself sustained injuries during the incident and was subsequently taken into custody.

Authorities revealed that Soliman had been planning the attack for over a year, motivated by extremist anti-Zionist beliefs. He entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. In September 2022, he applied for asylum; his application was still pending at the time of the attack. Soliman faces multiple charges, including federal hate crimes and attempted murder, and is being held on a $10 million bond.

The FBI is investigating the incident as a targeted terror attack and a federal hate crime. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts." Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack as a "vicious act of terrorism," emphasizing that "Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all."

The attack has heightened concerns within the Jewish community, already shaken by recent violence. Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, called for heightened security measures for Jewish events, stating, "We must ensure the safety and security of our communities in the face of rising antisemitic violence."

This incident underscores a disturbing trend of personalized, intimate antisemitic terrorism in the United States. Such acts, disconnected from broader terrorist networks, are fueled by ideologies that unjustly hold all Jews accountable for Israeli government actions. The attack in Boulder highlights the need for unequivocal condemnation of hate crimes and greater protection and societal support for Jewish communities.

"Run For Their Lives" is a national organization that has hosted weekly events since October 7, 2023, in support of hostages held in Gaza. The Boulder chapter organized the demonstration at the Pearl Street Mall as a nonviolent march intended as a plea for the release of the hostages.

The attack has also sparked discussions about immigration policies, as Soliman had overstayed his visa and was in the country illegally at the time of the attack. Former President Trump blamed current immigration policies for his presence in the country. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the Department of Justice has swiftly charged Soliman with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

This is not the first time Boulder has faced antisemitic incidents. In January 2025, the Boulder City Council issued a declaration condemning antisemitism following a year of increased disruptions and concerning incidents targeting Jewish council members and the broader Jewish community. The declaration affirmed the city's commitment to countering anti-Jewish rhetoric and cultivating an inclusive environment.

The Boulder attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of antisemitic violence and the importance of community resilience and vigilance in combating hate.