A recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, has raised concerns about safety within the US Jewish community. On Sunday, a group gathered to raise awareness for hostages held in Gaza was targeted, leaving 12 people injured. The suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, allegedly planned the attack for a year and told police he wanted to “kill all Zionist people,” according to court documents.
The incident has sparked anxiety among Jewish communities, who see it as a sign of growing antisemitism in the US. Adina Vogel Ayalon of J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group, said, “Jews are feeling the impact and are more afraid than they were two weeks ago… These types of hate crimes are not distinguishing between where you fall on the political spectrum about the war” between Israel and Hamas.
The attack in Boulder follows a string of incidents targeting Jewish people and institutions. In April, the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was set on fire, just hours after the Jewish lawmaker celebrated the first night of Passover. A suspect also shot and killed a couple outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, who were later identified as employees of the Israeli embassy.
Haliey Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said, “The attacks, especially given the succession of attacks in a short period of time, have made every Jewish American question their security… There’s a sense that what has occurred in DC and Boulder could have happened anywhere, could have happened to anyone.”
The group targeted in Boulder, Run For Their Lives, holds weekly meetings and marches to call for the release of hostages taken to Gaza. Global coordinator Shira Weiss said, “The premise of the group is to peacefully raise awareness of the hostages. We’re apolitical, we’re not protesting anything.” The group has members from diverse backgrounds, including those who support and don’t support the Israeli government.
Rabbi Dan Moskovitz of Temple Sholom in Vancouver, Canada, worries that the Boulder attack will not be an isolated incident. “It’s only going to inflame more radicalisation… It’s only going to inspire more people to do those things.” The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned the attack, stating, “Acts of antisemitism have no place in our society… This violent assault is not only an attack on a specific community but a direct threat to the values of pluralism, dignity, and safety for all people of faith.”