The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint warning that there is an “elevated threat” to Jewish and Israeli communities in the U.S., following recent incidents of violence. The warning highlights the potential for public safety risks amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with at least two recent attacks targeting pro-Israel demonstrators and embassy staff. These incidents, involving a suspect in Colorado and another in Washington, D.C., have prompted increased vigilance and urged the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
One of the most recent incidents occurred in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly created 18 Molotov cocktails before driving to the area where peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators were preparing for the Run for Their Lives event in support of Israeli hostages. As participants assembled in Boulder’s Pearl Street area, Soliman allegedly yelled “Free Palestine” and launched two lit Molotov cocktails into the crowd, resulting in over a dozen people, including one in critical condition, being injured. The attack was described by the FBI as a targeted terror attack.
Another incident occurred in Washington, D.C., on May 21, when a pro-Palestinian man, Elias Rodriguez, allegedly killed two Israeli embassy staff members who were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Rodriguez, who was taken into custody by security at the museum, was seen on video shouting, “Free Palestine” after the incident. Metropolitan Police Chiefs said Rodriguez likely acted alone and was a resident of Chicago.
Both incidents have prompted increased vigilance and a renewed emphasis on public awareness and reporting of any suspicious activity. The FBI and DHS have emphasized the need for the public to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious behavior to law enforcement. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is cited as a potential motivator for these attacks, with the agencies warning that foreign terrorist organizations may also exploit the conflict’s narratives to inspire further violence in the U.S.
Authorities are also investigating the radicalization of suspects, as highlighted by an FBI supervisor who noted signs of growing “lone wolf” radicalization in the case of Soliman. In addition, a retired FBI agent has stated that the suspect’s possible radicalization is being probed.
These events have underscored the heightened security concerns for Jewish and Israeli communities in the U.S., with federal agencies calling for continued public vigilance and cooperation in preventing potential threats. The FBI and DHS have urged anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to contact the FBI through their tips website or local field offices for assistance.