The FBI is investigating a “targeted attack” that occurred at a Boulder, Colorado mall during a gathering aimed at supporting Israeli hostages. The incident took place on October 7, 2023, shortly after the kidnapping of individuals by Hamas and subsequent acts of antisemitism in the U.S. A 45-year-old male suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly yelled “Free Palestine” as he allegedly set multiple people on fire. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser described the assault as a potential hate crime due to the targeted nature of the group, who meets weekly at the Pearl Street Mall to advocate for the release of captives.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the violence, emphasizing the need to confront antisemitism, while Colorado Governor Jared Polis labeled the act a “heinous act of terror.” The Boulder Jewish Community Center stated they were coordinating with law enforcement to ensure community safety after an incendiary device was thrown at participants in the “Run for Their Lives” event.
This incident follows other recent attacks against Israeli-related individuals in the U.S., including the shooting deaths of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. The assailant, Elias Rodriguez, faces multiple charges, and authorities are treating the case as motivated by hate and terrorism.
Reports of antisemitism in the U.S. have surged, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which documented 9,354 incidents in 2024, marking a continued upward trend. The conflict in Gaza, intensified by the ongoing war and the humanitarian fallout, has further heightened tensions domestically, affecting community dynamics and political discourse.
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