The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint warning about an “elevated threat” to Israeli and Jewish communities in the United States, citing recent incidents that highlight a growing concern for public safety. The warning comes as the U.S. grapples with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has apparently fueled tensions and led to violent acts targeting Jewish and Israeli supporters. In one recent incident, an Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly created and hurled Molotov cocktails at a peaceful pro-Israel march in Boulder, Colorado, resulting in over a dozen injuries, including one in critical condition. A second incident in Washington, D.C., saw a pro-Palestinian suspect kill two Israeli embassy staff members after they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The agencies have called the incidents ‘targeted terror attacks’ and emphasized that the conflict may motivate further violence and extremist actions.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint alert, warning the public of an increased threat to Israeli and Jewish communities in the US. According to recent reports, the agencies have emphasized the growing risk of violence due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In one recent incident, an Egyptian national, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly created 18 Molotov cocktails before driving to Boulder, Colorado, where he targeted peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators who were preparing for the Run for Their Lives in support of Israeli hostages. As participants gathered in Boulder’s Pearl Street area, Soliman reportedly yelled “Free Palestine” and launched two lit Molotov cocktails into the crowd. He was quickly arrested after the incident, which left over a dozen people injured, with one in critical condition. The FBI has described the attack as a “targeted terror attack” and has raised concerns about the potential of such violence escalating further amid the ongoing conflict.
Soliman, whose visa expired in March 2025 during the Biden administration, told authorities that the violence was a long time in the making. He reportedly stated his intent was to target what he described as a “Zionist group” and wished for them to all be dead. Further investigation into the incident revealed that Soliman had spent a year planning the attack, as documented in various filings. His actions have prompted authorities to examine the signs of growing radicalization, including his potential ideological alignment with extremist groups and the use of his previous FBI work with a former supervisor who noted the signs of his radicalization. The FBI and DHS have underscored the importance of public vigilance, urging individuals to report any suspicious activity or threats of violence to law enforcement. They have also warned that foreign terrorist organizations may try to exploit narratives from the Israel-Hamas conflict to inspire additional attacks in the United States.
In a separate incident, a pro-Palestinian man, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, allegedly killed two Israeli embassy staff members who were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were set to become engaged, and their lives were cut short in the attack. Metro Police Chief Pamela Smith stated that Rodriguez was taken into custody and was believed to have acted alone. Video footage from the scene showed Rodriguez shouting “Free Palestine” as he was escorted by security. The FBI and DHS have noted that the Israel-Hamas conflict could motivate other violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to carry out further attacks against Jewish and Israeli communities. They have therefore called for heightened awareness and a collective effort from the public to prevent the escalation of such violence in the wake of these incidents.