A Troubling Pattern of Antisemitic Violence

We strongly condemn yesterday’s unconscionable attack on a ‘Run for Their Lives’ hostage awareness event in Boulder, Colorado, and are sending our prayers to those injured in and affected by this horrific act of violence.

We are also deeply troubled by what appears to be a disturbing pattern of anti-Israel sentiment manifesting itself in antisemitic violence.

In April, a man used molotov cocktails, very similar to those used yesterday in Colorado, to target Governor Josh Shapiro’s home on Passover, citing his alleged concern for “Palestinian people.”

In May, a man targeted and killed two Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum because he believed they were Jewish. Once detained, he yelled “free, free Palestine.”

And yesterday, a man used homemade incendiary devices to burn eight peaceful demonstrators, aged 52-88, including a Holocaust survivor. At least one of the victims is in critical condition. The perpetrator of this attack yelled “free Palestine.”

These three attacks in the past two months are clear acts of antisemitic violence. This represents a deeply troubling pattern of such violence – possibly even copycat attacks – which must come to a decisive and immediate end.

The American Jewish community is in pain. We are mourning the loss of life and are reeling from violence. Arbitrarily attacking Jews only brings us all further from peace.

Every leader who claims to care about the safety of Jewish Americans should vigorously condemn these attacks and take action to defend against antisemitism in all its forms.

Since today is Shavuot, we know these attacks began 50 days ago, on Passover. Today it must end. We stand together against such violence and pain, and send our prayers to all those harmed by these senseless acts of violence.

To share our statement with your community, you can find it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Bluesky.

In solidarity,

Halie Soifer

CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America