Rise in Antisemitic Extremism Fuels Surge of Terror Plots Across the United States Since 2020

The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has placed new scrutiny on the rising tide of antisemitic violence sweeping the United States since 2020. The incident, which unfolded as a pro-Israel group staged a demonstration on Pearl Street, comes just weeks after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C. These attacks, among other high-profile cases, underscore what advocates and Jewish leaders warn is an alarming escalation in both the frequency and ferocity of antisemitic incidents and plots nationwide.

Ruthie Blum, a senior editor and former adviser to Israel’s prime minister, warned that the surge in antisemitic acts following the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel revealed deep-seated hostilities that had previously simmered beneath the surface of American society. "This was an explosion, and it was happening, surprisingly, all over the United States," she said, describing the wave of hate as a symptom of broader societal decay.

In the Boulder case, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national living in the U.S. illegally, now faces federal hate crime charges and a raft of state felony counts, including attempted murder and terrorism. Prosecutors allege Soliman hurled improvised incendiary devices into a crowd gathered to call for the release of Israeli hostages, injuring eight people—some severely—before being apprehended. Witnesses reported hearing Soliman shout “Free Palestine!” amid the chaos, and investigators said materials found in his possession referenced Israel, Palestine, and U.S. aid.

According to federal court filings, Soliman admitted to law enforcement that he had researched bomb-making instructions online, constructed the weapons himself, and specifically targeted the “Zionist Group” after learning of their event through internet searches. He reportedly told authorities that he had harbored hatred toward Zionists for years, meticulously planning the attack and waiting for a personal milestone—a family graduation—before executing what he called a mission to stop them from “taking over ‘our land.’”

This attack forms part of a disturbing pattern. Data from the Anti-Defamation League reveals a sharp rise in extremist plots and attacks targeting Jews or Jewish institutions: of 16 such incidents in the past four and a half years, more than half occurred in the last twelve months alone. Often, these have involved perpetrators acting alone but influenced by radical ideologies or conspiracy theories amplified online.

The Boulder incident follows a string of other violent attacks in the U.S. allegedly motivated by antisemitic hatred. In Washington, D.C., 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez faces capital charges for the murder of two Israeli diplomats outside a Jewish heritage event. Witnesses said Rodriguez shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during his arrest. Meanwhile, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Cody Balmer stands accused of arson and attempted murder after allegedly setting fire to Governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion, purportedly in protest of the governor’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Authorities have thwarted several other attempted attacks in recent months. In Florida, police arrested Forrest Pemberton for plotting an assault on a pro-Israel group’s offices. In New York, Abdullah Hassan, an Egyptian student, is charged with attempting to orchestrate a mass-casualty bombing at the Israeli consulate. Other federal cases involve suspects from Georgia, Mauritania, and Jordan, all alleged to have planned or executed hate-inspired violence against Jewish targets across the country.

Law enforcement officials caution that while many of these actors are described as “lone wolves,” their motivations often reflect broader ideological movements—whether Islamist extremism, white supremacy, or anti-Zionist animus. In several cases, suspects sought information or encouragement from online forums, encrypted apps, or foreign sources linked to terrorist organizations. Some, like the Boulder attacker, were found to be living in the U.S. illegally; others were American citizens radicalized domestically.

The community impact of this rise in antisemitic violence is profound. With Jewish Americans comprising only 2% of the population but accounting for 68% of reported religion-based hate crimes in 2023, many organizations have ramped up security and called on political leaders for stronger responses. Following the Boulder attack, Jewish groups and elected officials across the country issued statements condemning what they described as “horrifying” acts of hate and terror.

Federal authorities continue to pursue suspects tied to these and other hate-driven cases, emphasizing the need for vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Boulder suspect remains in jail, held on a $10 million bond as investigations proceed. However, advocates say only a forceful collective reckoning with the ideologies fueling these attacks will stem the current wave of violence.