Why Are Brits On Alert After the Boulder Attack? Antisemitism Fears Rise Following U.S. Terror Incident

A Molotov cocktail attack at a peaceful event in Boulder, Colorado, is echoing far beyond American borders—prompting alarm in the UK, where concerns over rising antisemitism are already at a critical level.

A suspected terror attack involving a Molotov cocktail and a makeshift flamethrower has left several people injured and reignited urgent global discussions about antisemitism, public safety, and political extremism. The incident, which occurred during a solidarity event, has drawn particular concern in Britain, where Jewish communities remain on high alert amid a surge in hate-related incidents.

What Happened in Boulder?

On 1 June 2025, chaos unfolded at the popular Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, during a peaceful awareness event held by the group Run For Their Lives. The group was advocating for the release of Israeli hostages reportedly held in Gaza.

According to BBC, the FBI is treating the incident as a 'suspected act of terrorism,' and the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly shouted 'Free Palestine' while throwing Molotov cocktails during the attack.

Soliman, aged 45, used what witnesses described as a makeshift flamethrower alongside incendiary devices. Six individuals were injured, ranging in age from 67 to 88, with at least one victim currently in critical condition.

The attack sent attendees fleeing in panic, and emergency services responded within minutes. Soliman was subdued and taken into custody with minor injuries.

UK Reaction: A Chilling Echo Amid Rising Hate

The United Kingdom is watching with increasing concern. While the violence took place across the Atlantic, British Jewish communities and civil society leaders see the attack as part of a growing, global trend.

Antisemitic incidents in the UK have surged since the Israel-Gaza war reignited in late 2023, with synagogues vandalized, Jewish students targeted, and online hate proliferating.

The Boulder attack has served as a grim reminder of how ideological violence transcends borders—and how quickly political protest can morph into terror.

Jewish Communities on Edge: From Concern to Fear

In the UK, the Boulder attack has intensified anxieties already gripping British Jewish communities. The surge in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza conflict reignited in 2023 has left many feeling increasingly unsafe.

Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK, described the emotional toll in a February 2024 interview with The Guardian, stating that "Jews are feeling isolated and lonely in the workplace, Jewish students are intimidated on campus and Jewish children don't feel safe in schools." He warned that British Jews are "caught between Hamas and the far right," and urged both solidarity and action to address the rise in antisemitic hostility.

Recent research also supports these concerns. A study from the Decoding Antisemitism project revealed a marked radicalization of online discourse about Israel and Jews in the months following the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

The research noted a significant increase in comments that glorified or justified violence against Jews, suggesting a troubling normalization of antisemitic rhetoric in digital spaces.

These developments contribute to a broader sense of vulnerability in Britain's Jewish communities—and fuel the growing belief that the ideological underpinnings behind the Boulder attack are neither distant nor isolated.

Government and Media Scrutiny Intensifies

British politicians and media outlets have given the Boulder attack prominent coverage, viewing it not as an isolated American tragedy but as part of a wider ideological escalation. Lawmakers across parties have called for increased security funding and tougher action against hate speech, particularly on social media.

International organisations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have urged coordinated responses to address the wave of antisemitic violence that's becoming more frequent—and more dangerous.

A Disturbing Pattern: Global Antisemitism on the Rise

The Boulder incident fits a broader pattern of violent antisemitic acts seen across Europe and North America—from synagogue shootings to anti-Israel protests that cross the line into hate-fueled aggression.

Analysts warn that the distinction between political expression and targeted hatred is becoming dangerously thin—and that failing to address this trend could invite more violence.