After attacks, US feds warn of ‘elevated threat’ to Israeli and Jewish communities

Following Washington shooting and Colorado firebombing, FBI and Department of Homeland Security warn of danger posed by violent extremists and foreign terror groups

By Luke Tress

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7 June 2025, 12:50 am

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Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.

Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on hostage demonstrators at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security on Thursday warned of an elevated threat level to Jewish and Israeli targets, following a string of attacks.

The announcement said it came in response to the firebombing of a pro-hostages rally in Colorado this week, and the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington last month. Both attackers cited the Gaza war as their motivation, according to investigators.

A pro-Palestinian arsonist also targeted the home of Jewish Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in April.

“The ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict may motivate other violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators with similar grievances to conduct violence against Jewish and Israeli communities and their supporters,” the announcement said. Some US government agencies refer to Hamas in capital letters because the name is an acronym.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman (right), the suspect who allegedly attacked pro-Israel activists (left) in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (Screen capture/X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

“Foreign terrorist organizations also may try to exploit narratives related to the conflict to inspire attacks in the United States. The FBI and DHS, therefore, urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement,” the announcement said. It did not specify if there were any known threats.

US authorities often warn of elevated threats to Jewish communities at sensitive times. Several warnings came after the October 2023 invasion of Israel, and a warning was issued on the first anniversary of the attack, for example.

The suspect in the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers at the Capital Jewish Museum, Elias Rodriguez, shouts ‘Free Palestine’ as he is arrested, May 21, 2025. (Screenshot: X; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

After the shootings in Washington, Jewish security officials said their primary concern was that the killings would inspire so-called copycat attacks. Jewish security groups have also urged vigilance and heightened security in the wake of the violence.

There have been a series of attempted terror attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in the past year that were intercepted by law enforcement.

The suspect in the Colorado attack, Mohamed Soliman, is being prosecuted by both federal and Colorado authorities.

Soliman was charged in a Colorado state court on Thursday with 118 counts, including 28 for attempted murder. The other counts include assault in the first and third degrees, use of explosive or incendiary devices, and animal cruelty because a dog was injured in the attack.

He has also been charged with a hate crime in federal court and is jailed on a $10 million cash bond. He faces life in prison.

Soliman is being charged with the commission of a hate crime by federal authorities and appeared at a federal court in Colorado on Friday afternoon.