**Antisemitic Attack in Boulder, Colorado: A Growing Concern for Jewish Communities**
On Sunday, a group of 12 people were injured in an attack in Boulder, Colorado. The victims were from the “Run For Their Lives” group, which was protesting to raise awareness about the hostages being held in Gaza. This incident has heightened anxiety among the North American Jewish community, who see these attacks as signs of growing antisemitism.
**A Year in Planning: Suspect’s Alleged Motive**
Court documents show that Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the suspect behind the attack, had been planning this for an entire year. He allegedly told police that he wanted to kill “all Zionists.” This incident follows a series of attacks on Jewish people and institutions across North America.
**Escalating Tensions: A Year of Attacks**
Just weeks ago, two people were shot and killed outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The victims were later identified as Israeli embassy employees who attended an event at the museum. In April, the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was set ablaze just hours after he celebrated Passover.
**The War in Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis**
The war between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for months, with both sides trading accusations and criticism from the international community. The conflict began on October 7th, when Hamas invaded Israel and killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel has since taken military action, leading to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
**Rising Tensions: A Divide in the US**
The war has become a political issue that divides the US, with pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses and in large cities sparking debates about education and freedom of speech. The American Jewish community is also divided, with generational, religious, and partisan differences over support for Israel and Palestinian statehood.
**A Clear Red Line: Crossing from Protest to Violence**
The attacks in Boulder, Washington D.C., and elsewhere have struck a wider nerve because they crossed the “clear red line between legitimate freedom of speech and political violence,” according to Adina Vogel-Ayalon, an anti-war advocacy group representative. This has led to condemnation from both the Jewish community and Muslim leaders.
**Increased Security: A Priority for Jewish Institutions**
The Boulder attack has highlighted the need for increased security at Jewish institutions across North America. Many have strengthened their defenses since a gunman killed 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. The Jewish Colorado organization is now hosting a fundraising event to support increased security in Boulder’s Jewish community.
**A Call to Action: Advocating for Hostages in Gaza**
Rabbi Dan Moskovitz from Temple Sholom, Vancouver, Canada regularly joins the “Run For Their Lives” group and plans to continue advocating on behalf of the hostages in Gaza. He is concerned that the Boulder attack will not be an isolated incident and may only inflame radicalization.
**A Growing Concern: Antisemitism on the Rise**
The attacks in Boulder, Washington D.C., and elsewhere have made every Jewish American question their own security and the security of Jewish institutions they visit, according to Haliey Sifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. The events have also sparked debates about education, freedom of speech, and the need for increased security at Jewish institutions.
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