The Boulder Jewish Community Center held a vigil to support victims of a fire-bomb attack that targeted a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been indicted on 12 hate crime counts after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at members of the “Run for Their Lives” group during their demonstration on June 1. The federal indictment, unsealed on June 25, includes nine counts related to causing injury based on race, color, religion, or national origin, along with three counts related to using fire or explosives in a felony.
Soliman utilized a backpack sprayer filled with flammable liquid, along with glass bottles prepared as incendiaries, during the attack, injuring 15 people aged 25 to 88. He allegedly approached the group, throwing the ignited Molotov cocktails while shouting, “Free Palestine!” After the attack, law enforcement retrieved a handwritten document from his vehicle expressing anti-Zionist sentiments, which he reportedly justified as revenge against those supporting Israel.
Soliman, a native of Egypt who entered the U.S. on an expired tourist visa, had planned the attack for a year, stating he was awaiting his daughter’s graduation to execute it. His immigration status hindered his ability to obtain a firearm, leading him to carry out the assault with makeshift weapons instead. While Soliman had no prior criminal history and was working as an Uber driver, his wife and children were detained by immigration authorities following the incident. They were later granted due process after a federal judge intervened. The case highlights a concerning rise in antisemitic violence since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
