The Boulder Attack: A Disturbing Act of Violence

On June 1, 2025, a peaceful rally in Boulder, Colorado, organized to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, was violently disrupted. A man identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly attacked the crowd with a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices, injuring eight people and sending shockwaves through the local Jewish community. This incident, occurring on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, has been classified by the FBI as a "targeted act of violence" and is under investigation as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime.

Amid rising antisemitism in the United States, the attack has sparked debates about its implications, including speculation about "false flag" operations to influence legislation, concerns over First Amendment rights, and the urgent need to reject violence as a means of expression. This article explores these dimensions in depth, providing a comprehensive look at the event and its broader significance.

Details of the Attack

The assault took place at the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian area in Boulder known for community gatherings. According to law enforcement reports, Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, approached a group of demonstrators organized by Run for Their Lives, a non-political initiative advocating for the release of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Witnesses reported that Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails into the crowd and then used a makeshift flamethrower to set several individuals ablaze, all while shouting "Free Palestine." Video footage captured the chaos as bystanders scrambled to extinguish flames with water and clothing, eventually subduing the suspect until police arrived.

The victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, included a Holocaust survivor. Eight people were injured, with two requiring airlifting to a burn unit for severe injuries. Shira Weiss, the coordinator of Run for Their Lives, described the rally as "apolitical" and "peaceful," emphasizing its sole purpose of raising awareness for the hostages. The attack thus not only caused physical harm but also struck at the heart of a community’s right to assemble and express solidarity.