The NYPD will be increasing security at Jewish houses of worship and other religious sites throughout the Big Apple in response to the fiery terrorist attack at a Boulder, CO march for Israeli hostages on Sunday.
According to the department and Mayor Eric Adams, security will be enhanced around the city after a man was arrested in the Colorado hate crime.
According to the New York Times, the alleged perpetrator, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, used a makeshift incendiary device to burn at least six members of a weekly pro-Israel march at a mall. FBI Special Agent-in-Charge of the Denver field office Mark Michalek reported that Soliman allegedly yelled, “Free Palestine!” during the attack.
It was the second violent antisemitic incident in three weeks in which the alleged attacker shouted the phrase. On May 21, two staff members at the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC were shot dead by a gunman later identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. The Associated Press reported that Rodriguez allegedly shouted “Free Palestine!” upon being arrested.
Sunday’s attack in Colorado occurred on the eve of the Jewish holy day of Shavuot, which marks Moses and the Jewish people receiving the torah at Mount Sinai. The NYPD is not taking any chances in the wake of the incident and beefing up security at local synagogues, temples and cultural centers.
“We’re monitoring the horrific attack in Colorado targeting an event for Israeli hostages. The NYPD has already increased our presence at religious sites throughout NYC for Shavuot with high visibility patrols and heavy weapons teams. We’ll continue to track this closely,” the NYPD wrote on X.
Mayor Eric Adams called the incident “vile” and likewise promised more police presence in New York.
“Another act of horrific, vile antisemitism and terrorism in our country, as an individual violently attacked a peaceful crowd in Boulder, Colorado, gathered to call for the release of the hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7, 2023,” Mayor Adams wrote in X. “Out of abundance of caution, the NYPD is increasing resources at religious sites throughout our city ahead of the sacred holiday of Shavuot. We will not rest until we root out this unacceptable violence and rhetoric from our communities.”
Sunday’s incident in Colorado was roundly condemned by local elected officials including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn).
“The Jewish community in America has once again become the target of a horrific, antisemitic attack,” Jeffries said. “Our heartfelt prayers are with all of our Jewish brothers and sisters impacted by this unconscionable act of terror, and we thank law enforcement for their swift response. Antisemitism has no place in our nation or anywhere throughout the world. It must be crushed. We stand with the Jewish community today and always.”
