BOULDER, Colo. (AP) In the wake of a violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, a cultural celebration will emerge focused on community healing and solidarity. The Boulder Jewish Festival, now in its 30th year, is set to take place on Sunday morning at the downtown Pearl Street pedestrian mall, the same location where a firebombing incident occurred last weekend while demonstrators called for Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
The violent act involved a man shouting "Free Palestine" as he threw Molotov cocktails at members of the "Run for Their Lives" initiative. Authorities reported that 15 individuals and a dog were victims of the attack, although not all sustained physical injuries. Some are classified as victims due to their presence in the vicinity with the potential for harm.
Run for Their Lives is a grassroots movement that began in October 2023 in response to the escalation of violence stemming from Hamas militants infiltrating Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and kidnappings. The Boulder festival aims to highlight the plight of the 55 individuals believed to still be held captive in Gaza. During the festival, the Boulder chapter will resume its weekly walks, symbolically lasting 18 minutes to represent "chai," a Hebrew word meaning "life."
Miri Kornfeld, an organizer from Run for Their Lives, expressed the festival’s new direction, emphasizing the community's need for unity following such a violent incident. Art, food, and music are also expected to play significant roles in this year’s festivities, as supporters gather to honor the impact of the attack.
In response to the previous week's violence, security measures have been significantly enhanced at the festival. The Boulder Police Department and the FBI are coordinating efforts to ensure safety, with the presence of drones, SWAT teams, and undercover officers among the crowd. Police Chief Stephen Redfearn stressed the importance of deterrence, hoping that the visible security presence would discourage any potential threats.
The victims of the Molotov cocktail attack include eight women and seven men, aged between 25 to 88, and notably, one victim is a Holocaust survivor. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national living in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder, assault, and illegal use of explosives. He faces a hate crime charge in federal court and is currently held on a $10 million cash bond.
Soliman allegedly expressed an intent to harm individuals he referred to as "Zionist people," reflecting an antisemitic motive behind the attack. In addition to his charges, U.S. immigration officials have detained Soliman's wife and five children, though they have not been implicated in any criminal activities related to the assault. A federal judge has temporarily blocked their deportation.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has characterized the attack as antisemitic, indicating it specifically targeted individuals due to their Jewish identity. While the demonstration included elements of the Jewish community, event organizers have noted that participation was open to both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals.
The assault occurred amid heightened tensions from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has led to increased expressions of antisemitism across the United States. The attack also coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates God delivering the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Addressing the aftermath of these events, Mindy Miller of Stop Antisemitism Colorado highlighted the need for unity, stating that such violence calls for a collective stand against hatred. She expressed a hopeful sentiment for a new chapter in Colorado, where individuals of the Jewish faith can feel supported and not isolated in their community.
