Since 2023, demonstrators with the organization Run for Their Lives have held global events to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, the recent event in Boulder, Colorado, marks the first time the group has experienced violence during their demonstrations. An attack took place as the group was concluding their walk at a crowded pedestrian mall, when a man equipped with a makeshift flamethrower yelled "Free Palestine" and launched Molotov cocktails into the gathering crowd, according to local authorities.
The Boulder Police Chief, Steve Redfearn, reported that twelve individuals were injured during the attack, with their ages ranging from 52 to 88, and their injuries varying from serious to minor. Details about the victims were scarce as none were willing to speak to the media by the following day. The escalating violence in downtown Boulder is set against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has been a catalyst for increased global tensions and a rise in antisemitism within the United States. Just a week prior to this incident, another individual who shouted "Free Palestine" was charged with the tragic shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
Despite the violence, supporters of the Israeli hostages remain committed to their cause. The attacker, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, expressed a longstanding intention to kill members of the local Run for Their Lives chapter, specifying his hatred for "Zionist people." According to an FBI affidavit, Soliman confessed to plotting the attack for over a year. He reportedly disguised himself as a gardener to blend in with the demonstrators as they waved U.S. and Israeli flags while reading the names of the 58 hostages believed to be held in Gaza.
Run for Their Lives is a grassroots initiative that emerged in October 2023, following a violent incursion into Israel by Hamas militants which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others. The organization comprises approximately 230 chapters globally, dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of these hostages. Shira Weiss, the global coordinator for Run for Their Lives, emphasized the mission of the group, stating, "We're really about humanity and nothing else."
The Boulder chapter of Run for Their Lives conducts weekly walks lasting 18 minutes, symbolizing the Hebrew word "chai," which translates to "life." The participants include a diverse group of retirees, families, and members of both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. Rachel Amaru, the leader of the Boulder chapter, had coordinated with local law enforcement ahead of the demonstration, having requested additional security in light of the recent violent incident in Washington. Following this attack, organizers plan to request police escorts for future demonstrations.
Federal and state prosecutors have launched separate legal actions against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices used in the attack, with further charges expected as federal authorities pursue a grand jury indictment.
The incident unfolded just as the Jewish holiday of Shavuot began, a time commemorating the giving of the Torah. Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Wilhelm, of the Rohr Chabad House at the University of Colorado, have urged community members to keep the victims in their prayers and not allow the attack to overshadow the festivities of Shavuot. Caleb Loewengart, a Boulder community member and University of Colorado student, expressed deep sadness for the Jewish community, noting the heightened concerns for safety among those who publicly support Israel on campus.
Organizer Miri Kornfeld highlighted the broader implications of the violence, stating that the threat of antisemitism is not confined to the Middle East but is a growing global issue. "We must stand up in the strongest way possible," Kornfeld urged, calling on elected officials and individuals alike to combat antisemitism in all its forms. The Boulder attack represents a chilling escalation in the ongoing conflict and its repercussions on communities beyond the immediate regions involved.
