A vicious assault on a pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, has left a community reeling and a suspect in federal custody.
The Washington Examiner reported that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, unleashed chaos on Sunday at a peaceful demonstration, wielding Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The attack, which injured 12 people, has sparked outrage and renewed debates over border security.
Soliman targeted a weekly “Run for Their Lives” event at Pearl Street Mall, a grassroots effort demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The assault, which began around 12:55 p.m., saw Soliman hurl two incendiary devices near the Boulder County Courthouse as participants gathered. One victim remains in critical condition with severe burns, a grim reminder that actions have consequences.
Shouting “Free Palestine” and “End Zionist” during the attack, Soliman’s motives were clear, according to authorities. The FBI affidavit reveals he confessed to planning the attack for a year, targeting what he called a “Zionist group.”
His calculated hatred, fueled by YouTube tutorials on making Molotov cocktails, paints a chilling picture of premeditation.
Soliman’s confession to the FBI lays bare his meticulous preparation. He researched incendiary devices online, purchased materials, and even waited until after his daughter’s graduation to execute his plan. Such cold-blooded intent underscores the need for vigilance in our communities.
Authorities recovered 14 unlit Molotov cocktails and a backpack sprayer filled with a highly flammable gasoline-xylene mix at the scene.
A search of Soliman’s car uncovered handwritten notes referencing “Israel,” “Palestine,” and the U.S. Agency for International Development. These details suggest a deep-seated obsession, not a spur-of-the-moment act.
The suspect now faces a federal hate crime charge under 18 U.S.C. §§ 249(a)(1) and (a)(2) for violence motivated by perceived religion or national origin, alongside state charges of attempted murder.
“He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” the FBI affidavit reports. Such venomous rhetoric demands swift justice, not excuses.
Soliman’s immigration history has ignited fierce debate. He entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023, and remained illegally after his asylum application. The Biden administration’s decision to grant him a work permit in March 2023, expiring in March 2024, raises questions about vetting processes.
“The suspect was illegally in our country,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Her blunt assessment points to a broader issue: lax border policies invite risks.
President Donald Trump echoed this on Truth Social, stating, “This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland.”
Trump’s call for deportation, “He must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy,” reflects a hardline stance that resonates with many. Yet, the human toll—12 injured, one critically—demands empathy over political point-scoring. The victims, not the policies, must remain our focus.
The “Run for Their Lives” group, founded by Israeli Americans after Hamas’s October 7 assault, boasts over 100 chapters across 30 states.
This attack on their peaceful demonstration is a stark reminder of rising anti-Semitism, with the FBI recording 1,989 anti-Jewish hate crimes in 2023, the highest on record. Boulder’s Jewish community deserves our solidarity, not just our sympathy.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon vowed accountability, stating, “The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Her resolve is reassuring, but words must translate into action. Dhillon added, “Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world,” a sentiment we all share.
FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the attack an “act of terror,” a classification that carries weight. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser echoed this, calling it a hate crime. Their unified stance signals zero tolerance for such violence, a message that must echo nationwide.
Soliman’s actions, from crafting a flamethrower to penning anti-Israel notes, reveal a man consumed by hatred. His attack wasn’t just against a demonstration; it was against the values of free assembly and safety. We cannot let such ideologies fester unchecked.
