Terror strikes Jewish citizens in the US once again: An attacker threw Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, injuring several participants. The perpetrator is in custody – a video shows him shortly before his arrest.

Several people were injured on Sunday in an attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado. According to police, a half-naked man attacked the demonstrators with flammable liquids and suspected homemade incendiary devices. The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.

The demonstration was organized by the volunteer organization Run For Their Lives, which campaigns worldwide for the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip. At the time of the attack, numerous supporters of the initiative were in a pedestrian zone in front of a shopping center.

Victims suffered severe burns

According to police reports, several people suffered burns, some of them severe. The injured are between 67 and 88 years old. Initial investigations indicate that the attack was carried out with an incendiary substance, possibly used in Molotov cocktails. Some victims were set on fire directly.

Videos on social media show the alleged perpetrator shirtless, holding containers of liquid, surrounded by flames. In the footage, he shouts “Free Palestine,” “Zionists out,” and “Murderers,” among other things, while helpers try to treat the injured. A dramatic scene shows a police officer approaching the man with his gun drawn. After the incident, police evacuated several streets in the city center.

The FBI and local investigators are on the scene. FBI spokesman Ben Williamson confirmed that the suspect shouted anti-Israel slogans during the attack. The director of the agency, Kash Patel, spoke of a “targeted terrorist attack,” but warned that the investigation was still ongoing. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also suspects a possible hate crime.

The attack is the latest in a series of anti-Semitic incidents in the US. Just last week, a man was arrested for shooting two employees of the Israeli embassy – in that case, too, the perpetrator shouted “Freedom for Palestine.”

The attack in Boulder sparked horror across party lines. US Senator Chuck Schumer said, “This cannot continue. We must take decisive action against anti-Semitism.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it an “act of terror” and emphasized, “Terrorism has no place in our country.” The White House said President Donald Trump had been informed of the events.

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