The community of Boulder has once again suffered a horrific attack. On Sunday, a terrorist fueled by antisemitism attempted to burn people alive who had gathered on the Pearl Street Mall to walk in solidarity with Israeli hostages still held captive by Hamas.

We pray fervently for the eight victims to survive this horror and fully recover from their injuries, and for their families’ strength and resilience during this difficult time. In the aftermath of the King Soopers shooting in 2021, Boulder rallied around victims, their families, and law enforcement, and the community will rise again to support those injured Sunday.

The opportunity to support Colorado’s Jewish community will come quickly; Sunday, June 8, is the 30th Boulder Jewish Festival. The annual celebration of Jewish culture is held on the Pearl Street Mall, the site of the attack. Coloradans should come out in mass to support our Jewish community and send a message that terrorism will not succeed.

We are relieved that a suspect has been detained. But until the scourge of antisemitism is wiped from America, we fear the Jewish community will never attain peace in this country. Two Israeli Embassy staffers were assassinated in Washington, D.C., last month as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Yaron Lischinsky had purchased an engagement ring for Sarah Milgrim but never got the chance to propose before they were shot and killed.

The FBI’s regional spokesperson reported that the suspect yelled “Free Palestine” as he attacked the crowd. The suspect’s social media posts indicate he wanted to “end Zionists.” The New York Times reported that he is an Egyptian citizen who had filed for asylum before his visa expired. We cannot prevent every terrorist attack, but local, state and federal law enforcement should review this case to make certain signs weren’t missed along the way. Perhaps the next attack could be thwarted if lessons are learned.

This terror has existed long before Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, sparked a protracted war with Israel. Hamas still holds 58 hostages somewhere in Gaza who were captured during the attack that left 1,500 civilians dead. During a recent ceasefire, several hostages were released who recounted torture and rape, and the bodies of some who Hamas killed during captivity were also released.

The war has raged for almost two years, and Israel’s bombing campaign, combined with its control of food, water and electricity to the occupied territory, are creating a humanitarian crisis that has killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians (a number that will never be known precisely as independent journalists have been kept out of Gaza). As the war drags on in the Middle East, we call for peace, understanding, and love to reign here.

America should be a safe haven from antisemitism and terrorism, a place where our communities can come together, if not in agreement, then at least in a shared coexistence that celebrates our freedom in this country.

The assault on Sunday not only shattered lives and terrified a community, but this senseless violence tears at the foundation of America, and makes us all less safe. Whether compelled to exercise your free speech in a Boulder march calling for the release of Israeli hostages, or to join a protest on the University of Boulder’s campus calling for an end to Israel’s campaign in Gaza, or the many who would march in both, Americans should feel safe that their words, beliefs, and advocacy won’t get them killed.

We have a long way to go before we find such peace, but in the wake of a tragedy is the time to remind everyone of our idealistic hopes for America, something we can all unite behind as international conflicts divide us.

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