ADL Statement on Violent Antisemitic Attack at Boulder “Run for Their Lives” Event

New York, NY, June 1, 2025 — ADL (Anti-Defamation League) is closely monitoring of reports of a violent antisemitic attack during today’s Run for Their Lives event in Boulder, Colorado. This attack occurred at a weekly gathering where Jewish community members run and walk in solidarity with the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. The suspect, identified by authorities as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" during the attack. There were 15 victims in the attack, ages 25 to 88, who were all taken to local hospitals.

The ADL Center on Extremism has reviewed videos of the suspect who threw Molotov cocktails at those gathering in Boulder to express solidarity with the 58 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. 

In the videos, we believe the suspect can be heard saying:

“How many children have you killed?”
“We have to end Zionists”
“They are killers" (gesturing toward what appears to be the victims of the attack).

The attack comes as the Jewish holiday of Shavuot was about to begin and follows a disturbing national and global trend of antisemitic violence.

ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt released the following statement: 

This is the second violent attack on the U.S. Jewish community in two weeks. First, a young couple slaughtered in Washington, D.C. Now, a firebomb thrown at a group in Boulder, Colorado, as they gathered to express solidarity with the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

Two peaceful Jewish events that ended with rage-filled, violent attacks.

And the issue isn’t confined to the U.S. We’re witnessing a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people.

In the past few days alone, Jewish youth in London were assaulted. Public spaces in Brisbane were defaced with antisemitic graffiti. Synagogues, a Holocaust memorial, and a kosher restaurant in Paris were vandalized.

Sadly, none of this is surprising. In fact, it's entirely predictable. This is precisely where anti-Jewish incitement leads. This is exactly what vicious anti-Zionism enables.

Elected officials, community groups, media platforms, faith leaders — they all need to commit to taking action before this crisis escalates even further.

Stop excusing antisemitic rhetoric.
Stop platforming anti-Zionist hate.
Stop equivocating when Jews are attacked.

Stand with your Jewish friends and neighbors… before things get even worse.

Since January 2020, the ADL Center on Extremism has documented 16 terrorist plots or attacks targeting Jews, Zionists or Jewish institutions in the U.S., including the Boulder attack. Notably, nine of those incidents occurred within just the past 12 months (July 2024 to June 2025), marking a sharp increase compared to the seven incidents recorded over the previous 54 months (January 2020 to June 2024).

ADL is in contact with local law enforcement and community leaders to monitor the situation and provide any necessary support. 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.