By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
What happened in Boulder was an act of terrorism, plain and simple. The alleged actions of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, targeting Jews in what authorities have rightly identified as an ideologically motivated, antisemitic attack, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It was not a “disturbance,” or a “clash,” or a “misunderstanding.” It was hate. And it was violent, deliberate, and evil.
This nation was founded on the principle that people of all faiths and backgrounds can worship, gather, and speak freely without fear. That principle was shattered in Boulder, and we cannot – must not – look away.
Governor Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser deserve appreciation for calling this what it is: an act of hate-fueled terror. That clarity is essential. Equivocation empowers future violence. So too does silence. The involvement of the FBI and the confirmation from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that this is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated extremism is both appropriate and necessary. We thank them for moving swiftly, decisively, and publicly.
But we must also confront a hard, uncomfortable truth – one that too many leaders and institutions are afraid to say what this latest event further reveals out loud: There is no pro-Israel equivalent to this kind of violence.
You do not see Jewish Americans driving across cities to attack pro-Palestinian gatherings with firearms or explosives. You do not see synagogues serving as staging grounds for assaults on Muslim students, community centers, or mosques. You do not see pro-Israel protesters chanting calls for genocide or openly defending acts of terror as “resistance.”
It doesn’t happen. And pretending that extremism is balanced on “both sides” is dishonest and deeply irresponsible.
This is not about silencing criticism of Israel. Reasoned criticism of any nation is fair game in a free society. But when protest turns to justification for terror, when marches turn into intimidation, and when activists excuse violence with phrases like “decolonization by any means,” we must say clearly that this is not justice, it’s barbarism.
No moral cause requires violence against innocents.
The difference matters. It matters for policy, for public safety, and for our moral clarity as a society. We are watching an alarming normalization of antisemitic hostility disguised as political activism, and in Boulder, it turned into attempted murder.
Let’s be honest. If the roles were reversed – if a Jewish man had targeted a mosque or pro-Palestinian group – we would see national outrage, candlelight vigils, and coordinated media coverage calling it a hate crime. That’s not a complaint, it’s a standard. But justice demands that standard be applied evenly, regardless of the identity or ideology of the attacker.
What happened in Boulder was not an isolated outburst. It is part of a pattern of rising antisemitism, inflamed by rhetoric, tolerated by institutions, and now weaponized in violent action.
To stop this, we need moral courage – not from just one political party, not from just Jewish voices – but from every American who believes that freedom of worship and assembly is non-negotiable.
This is not about picking sides in a geopolitical debate. This is about defending the right of Americans – of Jews in particular right now – to live, worship, and gather without being hunted.
Condemnation must be loud. Accountability must be swift. And indifference must end.
C. J. Garbo is a cybersecurity leader and 15-year Colorado law enforcement veteran who is certified by the FBI’s Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver where he studied American foreign and military policy. He has a long track record of public service and policy advocacy. Known for his principled leadership and clear moral voice, he brings a unique blend of national security insight, constitutional conservatism, and community-focused governance to today’s most pressing issues. Garbo is a vocal defender of religious liberty, public safety, and the foundational American values of justice, dignity, and equal protection under the law.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.