Israeli tourist intervenes during attack at Boulder Jewish march, helping prevent further harm
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Israeli tourist intervenes during attack at Boulder Jewish march, helping prevent further harm
Naor Bitton helped extinguish flames after a man threw Molotov cocktails at a Jewish demonstration. Mohamed Soliman, 45, allegedly threw makeshift incendiary devices into the crowd. He faces federal hate crime charges that carry up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The demonstration was part of a weekly gathering that has occurred every Sunday since 2023 to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Israel.
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BOULDER, Colo. — An Israeli tourist visiting Boulder helped extinguish flames and prevent further violence after a man threw Molotov cocktails at a Jewish demonstration Sunday afternoon, injuring 12 people near the courthouse along Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall.
Naor Bitton, who has been traveling across the United States for five months, joined the weekly demonstration supporting Israeli hostages when Mohamed Soliman, 45, allegedly threw makeshift incendiary devices into the crowd around 1:30 p.m.
“Suddenly, I felt this immense amount of heat, this immense heat wave,” Bitton said. “I looked to my left and I see this huge ball of fire.”
The attack lit multiple people on fire, including a woman who was “completely engulfed in flames.”
Federal court documents state Soliman had been planning the attack for a year and showed no remorse. He faces federal hate crime charges that carry up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for targeting victims based on their perceived religion, race or national origin.
As Bitton heard the attacker chanting things like “Free Palestine,” Bitton began trying to get water, running between nearby businesses and asking other bystanders for water.
After helping extinguish the flames, Bitton noticed the attacker still carried two additional gasoline bottles. Concerned that approaching bystanders might provoke another attack near active fires, Bitton positioned himself between the crowd and Soliman.
“So I made my way to the front of the crowd, and I try to push back the crowd and not let them get near the attacker,” Bitton said.
The demonstration was part of a weekly gathering that has occurred every Sunday since 2023 to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Israel. Bitton described the initial march as “extremely peaceful” and “beautiful.”