Terror in Boulder: Egyptian Attacker Targets Pro-Israel March with Firebombs and Improvised Flamethrower

Eight injured in Boulder as Egyptian man attacks pro-Israel march with Molotovs—FBI calls it a targeted act of ideologically driven terrorism

Source: New York Post

Introduction

It seems that the USA has been gripped by a wave of hatred and violence linked to the conflict between Israel and Palestine over the Gaza Strip. Anti-Semitic hate crimes are on the rise, as are protests against the war in Gaza. Furthermore, President Donald Trump and his administration's stance toward pro-Palestinian protesters has done nothing to calm the situation—in fact, it has only added fuel to the already burning fire.

Conservative supporters of Israel, led by President Trump, have decided to label all pro-Palestinian demonstrators as anti-Semitic, and his administration has begun detaining protesters without charges. A decision was also made to cut funding to any elite American university that allows demonstrations on its grounds.

Unspeakable Hatred and Hate Crimes

In light of these events, a wave of anti-Semitic violence has erupted across the USA. Recently, a young Jewish couple was shot dead in the middle of the street in Chicago.

The latest in a string of hate-motivated attacks occurred on June 1, 2025, near the Pearl Street Mall shopping district in Boulder, Colorado, where the suspect used Molotov cocktails to attack participants of a march organized by "Run for Their Lives"—an organization that holds global runs and marches to demand the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

At the time of the attack, a peaceful pro-Israel march was underway, according to the Chief of Police, who added that the police are still investigating the motive. As of now, it has not been definitively classified as a terrorist act.

The Egyptian man who attacked pro-Israel march identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, used an improvised flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to target the march participants. During the attack, he shouted slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "End Zionists." New York Post

Soliman is an Egyptian national who had been residing in the U.S. on a work permit, which expired in March 2025. According to reports, Soliman violated the terms of his stay and remained in the country illegally.

Here is the video of the attacker from CBS News

Details of the Attack

The attack occurred near the intersection of 13th Street and Pearl Street, where Soliman threw incendiary bottles at march participants. Eight people, aged between 52 and 88, were injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. One woman suffered severe burns and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Soliman was also injured during the attack and was taken to the hospital under police supervision.  The Daily Beast

Here is the post on X about the attack:

Source: https://x.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1929298335342416193

Authorities' and Police Response

Thanks to a swift police response, the suspect was apprehended and arrested. The investigation is ongoing. Although the motive is not yet entirely clear, the FBI has classified the incident as a targeted terrorist attack driven by ideological motives.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that it was a "targeted terrorist attack," while Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the assault is being investigated as an ideologically motivated act of terrorism. Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack as a hate crime and extended his condolences to the victims. Wikipedia

Immediately following the attack, the Pearl Street Mall area was evacuated. Police conducted a detailed search for additional explosive devices. To ensure maximum safety before reopening the area, sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives were brought in, along with a bomb disposal unit. The investigation is still ongoing, with police, authorities, and civilians working together to gather potential evidence and eyewitness accounts. Wikipedia

Conclusion

As we can see, opposing views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict have led to further polarization within American society. While some protest in support of Israel and the release of hostages, others demonstrate for Palestinian liberation and an end to the conflict.

Unfortunately, hate crimes and anti-Semitic violence continue to rise, worsening the situation. According to the FBI, there has been a 63% increase in hate crimes against Jews, accounting for 68% of all religion-motivated hate crimes.

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