On June 1 in Boulder, a peaceful group called “Run for Their Lives,” marching to demand the safe return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, was violently attacked by Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, injuring 12 people, including an elderly Holocaust survivor. The marchers, mostly Jewish, focused on the non-political message “Bring them home,” seeking unity amid a city sharply divided over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Boulder, a wealthy, liberal college town, has seen increasing clashes between pro-Israel demonstrators and pro-Palestinian protesters, the latter sometimes expressing antisemitic rhetoric. City council tensions surfaced when one member refused to join a condemnation statement, citing a desire to distinguish antisemitism from anti-Zionism, a distinction others found offensive.
Jewish residents report growing fear and a rise in antisemitism, with many hiding Jewish symbols to avoid harassment. Experts warn that inflammatory campus protests and rising hateful rhetoric contribute to violent acts like the Boulder attack.
The FBI and Homeland Security have issued warnings about potential antisemitic violence connected to the ongoing conflict. Despite fear and pain, marchers vow to continue their peaceful protests until all hostages are safely returned.
