Boulder – On Sunday, May 25, 2025, a horrific attack unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, when Mohammed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national living illegally in the U.S., launched a firebomb assault against a peaceful gathering of pro-Israel supporters. The attack injured 12 people, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, leaving some victims with severe burns and others traumatized. Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” and “End Zionists” during the assault, which authorities have classified as a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism.
Despite the clear antisemitic nature of the attack, with the assailant explicitly targeting Zionists and Jewish community members, a Boulder city council member, Taishya Adams, has publicly refused to condemn the violence as antisemitic unequivocally. The council member insists on maintaining a distinction between antisemitism and “anti-Zionism,” a dangerous and misleading narrative that risks excusing or minimizing hatred directed at Jewish people.
This refusal to condemn the attack as antisemitic is deeply troubling, especially at a time when antisemitic violence is surging across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024 alone, ranging from harassment to physical assault. The Boulder firebombing follows closely on the heels of other violent attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions, including the murder of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, D.C.
The attacker’s own words, “I wanted to kill all Zionist people,” make it clear that this was not merely a political protest but a targeted campaign of hate against Jews. Attempts to separate “anti-Zionism” from antisemitism ignore the reality that Zionism is central to Jewish identity for millions worldwide. Denying this connection undermines the lived experiences of Jewish communities who face violence and discrimination precisely because of their Jewishness.
Jewish communities in Boulder and across North America are left shaken and fearful, not only because of the violence itself but also due to the lack of unequivocal support from some local officials. The hesitation to call out antisemitism in all its forms emboldens extremists and sends a dangerous message that hatred against Jews can be tolerated under the guise of political discourse.
Pro-Israel and Jewish communities stand in solidarity with Boulder’s Jewish population, condemning the attack and urging elected officials everywhere to reject any attempt to downplay antisemitism. The fight against hate requires clarity, courage, and an unambiguous commitment to protecting Jewish life and dignity.
The Boulder firebombing is a stark reminder that antisemitism remains a lethal threat. It demands a unified response that recognizes the inseparability of Jewish identity and Zionism and refuses to allow political rhetoric to mask or excuse acts of terror.
This article is based on verified information from reputable news sources, including The New York Times, BBC News, CNN, CBS News, The Associated Press, The Times of Israel, and the Boulder Reporting Lab.
Nothing reputable about the sources .