JFLC issues statement on Boulder: Stand with us
2 min read
from The Jewish Federation of Lane County
We start this week with yet another attack on American Jews in the name of “Free Palestine.” Since Oct. 7, 2023, a group in Boulder, Colorado, has marched weekly to call attention to the hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
Yesterday, a man yelling “Free Palestine” and “End Zionism” attacked the marchers with incendiary devices, injuring at least eight people with burns, including a Holocaust survivor. Some injuries were so severe; the victims were airlifted to a burn unit in Denver and are now in serious condition.
This marks yet another incident in which people have attacked American Jews to pursue their beliefs about the war in Gaza. In April, a man set fire to the official residence of Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Two weeks ago, a gunman shot people at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. This weekend’s attack in Boulder didn’t make it into the headlines of several major news outlets – this sort of political violence is not as shocking as it once was.
A simple definition of terrorism is the use of violence on civilians to push a political agenda, and to intimidate other civilians into submission. For us, the American Jewish community, it’s yet another thing to worry about while obscuring what exactly we should fear most: the polarization of domestic politics, the decline of civil discourse, rising antisemitism, rising authoritarianism on the right, and political violence from both the left and right.
Terrorists promote fear and chaos. Let us admit our fear and anger, and inner chaos. Let us comfort each other with care as a community, as an extended family that mourns for the victims and for our own loss of a sense of security. Then, let us show each other and the world that fear, and chaos will not drive our actions.
In response to Boulder, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch said, “Condemn this incitement. Call out these dangerous lies. Demand that Hamas release the hostages. And tell your community that you will stand with us, and you will not tolerate any more violence against Jews. Full. Stop.”
For more resources, see the Jewish Federation of Lane County website.
