Too Close to Home
A tragic event has a way of clarifying things, especially when it takes place so close to home.
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Last Sunday, Boulder, Colorado, experienced a tragic terrorist attack—a reality I never imagined I would be writing about. Boulder, just 30 miles north of Denver, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant shops, innovative restaurants, and progressive politics. It's also the proud home of the University of Colorado. Experiencing a horrific event so near to home can be deeply unsettling and impact our sense of safety and security.
What occurred last Sunday in Boulder was far from an ordinary crime. The perpetrator, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, does not even reside in Boulder. An Egyptian citizen, Soliman overstayed his tourist visa and lived with his family in Colorado Springs for three years, which is approximately 100 miles south of Boulder.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Soliman had contemplated ways to harm Jews for over a year. When he learned that a Jewish group would gather in downtown Boulder to draw attention to hostages still held by Hamas, Soliman drove over 100 miles north to Boulder. To maximize the potential for harm, he “purchased flowers and disguised himself as a gardener in an orange vest to get as close as possible to the members of the Jewish group”. He also brought with him 18 homemade Molotov cocktails.
Soliman launched two Molotov cocktails at the Jewish group, injuring 15 individuals, injuring 15 people, including several seniors aged 52 to 88 and a Holocaust survivor. What’s even more disturbing is that after committing such a heinous act, Soliman did not flee the scene. A viral video captured him shirtless, pacing and holding two Molotov bottles while shouting, “Free Palestine” and “End Zionists.” He displayed little empathy for his victims and showed total contempt for our nation’s laws.
After Soliman was arrested, he gave a self-incriminating confession to the police, showing no remorse. He stated that he "had to do it," "should do it," and "would not forgive himself if he did not do it," adding that he would "go back and do it again."
This terrorist attack in Boulder occurred just 11 days after Elias Rodriguez, a resident of Chicago, murdered Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy, outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on May 22.
The murder in D.C. and the attack in Boulder reveal disturbing parallels.
Both Rodriguez and Soliman did not reside in the cities where they committed their heinous acts; they were willing to travel long distance to inflict harm on Jewish communities. After committing their crimes, neither attempted to escape; instead, they awaited the arrival of police and news crews, deliberately shouting slogans like “Free Palestine” to amplify their messages and maximize propaganda impact. Lastly, both perpetrators committed their offenses on American soil for a cause they claimed to support, one that is taking place thousands of miles away.
These perpetrators, along with those who remain hidden while plotting further crimes, clearly do not care about the well-being of the Palestinian people. Genuine concern for others requires empathy and respect for the sanctity of life, qualities they fundamentally lack. Their actions and attitude are indistinguishable from Hamas terrorists. Using the “Free Palestine” movement as a shield, they justify their atrocious acts against innocent lives.
Instead of fleeing the scene of their crimes, they stay behind, believing they have committed no wrongdoing. In their eyes, attacking and harming Jews is a glorious act worthy of admiration, which is likely why they linger, awaiting for the rest of world’s admiration for their horrific deeds. To them, the scene of the crime is a stage for portraying themselves as martyrs, just like any Hamas terrorists would have done.
It is a grave mistake to think you are immune from the harm caused by pro-Hamas individuals in our society just because you’re not Jewish. After the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, a Jewish friend reminded me that nobody is safe: “Hamas and their supporters first target Saturday people, and then they’ll come after Sunday people.” Those who hate Jews share an equal disdain for Americans. The Mullahs in Iran frequently label Israel the “small devil” and the U.S. the “big devil.” They reject our culture, values, and everything we cherish. The destruction of Israel and harming Jewish communities mark just the beginning of their agenda — a much larger threat looms ahead. They aim to undermine everyone and everything in the West: our way of living, culture, values, and life itself.
On the same Sunday that Soliman attacked Jewish seniors in Boulder, staff at the University of Michigan's Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor made a shocking discovery: about one-third of the blooming peonies had been cut down overnight. This Arboretum has long been a cherished local gem, welcoming over 75,000 visitors each year who come to admire its diverse collection of exotic plants and flowers. Having visited several times during my years in Michigan, I deeply appreciate the dedication of the staff, who work tirelessly to cultivate these plants and enrich the local community with beauty and joy.
The vandals responsible for this destruction left behind notes stating, “Palestinian lives deserve to be cared for. More than these flowers.” However, the reality is that anyone who goes out of their way to vandalize and ruin the efforts of others, obliterating beauty, and take joy away from others truly does not care about other lives.
A tragic event often brings clarity, especially when it occurs close to home. The pro-Hamas slogans heard on our college campuses and in our streets are not merely speeches; they represent a dangerous call to action from Hamas supporters in the West. The violent incident in D.C. and the attack in Boulder are just the beginning of responses to this perilous rhetoric, and they will not be the last.
Recognizing the challenge we are up against should empower us to take decisive action. We are all on the front lines now, defending our civilization as the threat of terrorism draws ever closer to our doorstep.
June 6 marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a day that reminds us of the sacrifices made for freedom. One essential lesson from World War II is that a land that is hostile to Jewish people is also hostile to liberty, dignity, life, and all that is true and beautiful. We owe it to the Greatest Generation to ensure that terrorists do not transform our land into such a hostile environment.
Well said, Helen! Thank you. I hope that you make this article available for sharing to everyone. This needs to be said repeatedly.