In a disturbing act of violence, a 45-year-old man shouting “Free Palestine” attacked a pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, hurling incendiary devices at participants and injuring eight people9, authorities reported (Firebomb attack). The victims — four men and four women aged between 52 and 88 — were hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition.
The attack occurred at Pearl Street Mall, during a Run for Their Lives demonstration in support of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The FBI and Boulder Police are now treating the incident as an act of terrorism and a possible hate crime.
What We Know So Far
- Suspect Identified: The attacker was named as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalized shortly after the assault. Law enforcement believes he acted alone.
- Nature of the Attack: Witnesses saw Soliman shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid, which he used to firebomb the crowd. He reportedly yelled “Free Palestine” during the assault.
- FBI Investigation: FBI Denver Field Office chief Mark Michalek confirmed the attack was targeted and is being investigated as a terror incident.
- Possible Hate Crime: Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser and FBI Director Kash Patel characterized the incident as a hate-motivated attack against Jews.
- Immigration Status in Focus: Former Trump official Stephen Miller claimed Soliman had overstayed a visa, using the event to call for stricter immigration policies. This claim remains unverified.
Victims and Witnesses
19-year-old Brooke Coffman, a student at the University of Colorado, described a chaotic scene where victims were burned, one severely. She said people were desperately yelling for water as the injured collapsed on the ground.
Political Reactions
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying victims were harmed “simply because they were Jews.”
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the act “horrifying” and emphasized the need to combat rising antisemitism.
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis called the attack “unfathomable”, expressing support for the Jewish community.
Context and Rising Tensions
The attack occurs against a backdrop of intensifying tensions in the U.S. over Israel’s war in Gaza. There has been a surge in antisemitic incidents and increasing polarization between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups. Just last month, a shooting in Washington, D.C. targeted individuals leaving a Jewish advocacy event, further fueling the national divide (Firebomb attack).
Bottom Line
The Boulder attack represents a chilling escalation in hate-motivated violence linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict. As both antisemitic incidents and political rhetoric rise in the U.S., this case underscores the urgent need for unity, vigilance, and accountability — across party lines and communities.
The Big Ruling
In a major legal setback for former President Donald Trump, the US Court of International Trade ruled that he cannot impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA),a law previously used to justify several aggressive tariff moves.
This weakens Trump’s authority to regulate imports through unilateral tariff orders unless done under other specific laws.
Court’s Verdict: “IEEPA does not authorise any of the Worldwide, Retaliatory, or Trafficking Tariff Orders.”
Why This Matters to India
India was under immense pressure to open sensitive sectors,especially agriculture and digital services,as Trump had threatened 26% reciprocal tariffs and was pushing for Big Tech access and agricultural liberalization.
What changes now:
- India no longer needs to negotiate under the gun of punitive tariffs.
- Several pre-announced duty cuts (on bourbon, bikes, etc.) may now be reconsidered or rebalanced.
- India can recalibrate negotiations and push for better market access to the US.
Big Tech, Data & Satellite Policy
The US has long pushed India to:
- Ease data localisation norms
- Open its digital economy
- Adopt an open satellite communication policy (favoring services like Elon Musk’s Starlink)
However, India has:
- Raised antitrust concerns against Google (Play Store payment systems, bias toward Google Pay)
- Cited UNCTAD reports on data control as a new form of economic domination
- Emphasized the need for domestic safeguards in tech and data policy
What’s Next?
The pressure has eased for India, but the trade negotiations are still ongoing. With the Trump tariff authority weakened:
- India may play a stronger hand
- New Delhi might demand more reciprocity
- Sensitive areas like data and agriculture may see slower movement
Bottom Line:
The court’s decision frees India from a deadline-driven trade deal under tariff threats. It shifts the balance of power, giving India room to protect its domestic interests while still pursuing economic cooperation with the US.
Source: Reuters
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