Molotov terror attack on Israel solidarity walkers leaves Holocaust survivor, 82, dead

An 82 year old woman from Colorado has tragically passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained in a Molotov cocktail attack on a group showing solidarity with Israeli hostages, prosecutors revealed on Monday.

Karen Diamond was critically injured in the June 1 incident that took place in downtown Boulder, Colorado, while participating in a walk to highlight the suffering of individuals taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7th 2023 attacks on Israel, as confirmed by the local district attorney's office. The prosecution has identified a total of 29 victims, with 13 sustaining physical injuries.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman is facing a raft of charges in state court, including attempted first-degree murder, using an incendiary device, and animal cruelty due to a dog being hurt in the attack. He has not yet entered a plea for these charges, which now include first-degree murder following Karen's death.

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A preliminary hearing is set for July 15 to determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to trial.

In a separate case, Soliman is also up against 12 federal hate crime charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty in federal court last Friday, reports the Express.

"Karen was a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her," said Jonathan Lev, executive director, and David Paul, board chair, in their tribute to the beloved community figure.

Karen Diamond was a cherished member of her synagogue and selflessly devoted her time to various community endeavours, including the University of Colorado University Women's Club and a local music festival.

The untimely death of Diamond prompted Gov. Jared Polis to release an emotional statement on Monday, conveying his profound grief over a loss deeply felt across Boulder, the broader Colorado area, and within the Jewish community.

"Karen was taken from us too soon, and we mourn her loss while remembering her life and the impact she had on those who loved her," Gov. Polis expressed with sorrow.

During this difficult period, Diamond's bereaved family has asked for their privacy to be honoured, a sentiment echoed by the prosecutors.

An active contributor to her community, Diamond, along with her partner, was remembered for their help in conducting public tours of historic homes, as Melanie Muckle, the group's coordinator, recalled.

"Their generosity with their time and their talent and their kindness, I can't overstate that," Muckle reflected on their contributions.

In a disturbing turn of events, during a recent event, prosecutors allege that Soliman, disguised as a gardener wearing a construction vest, infiltrated the assembly before launching his assault.

Investigators have revealed that Soliman admitted his intention to obliterate the participants of the weekly gathering. It is reported that he shouted "Free Palestine" while throwing just some of the more than twenty Molotov cocktails he had collected.

Prosecutors have now tallied 29 individuals as victims of the incident, with 13 sustaining physical injuries. The others present are also being recognised as victims due to the potential risk they were exposed to.

The number of victims has risen.

The prosecution argues that the victims were selected based on their actual or perceived nationality. It's important to note that under federal law, an attack driven by political beliefs does not qualify as a hate crime.

Soliman admitted to law enforcement that he tried to buy a gun but was denied because he wasn't a "legal citizen."

Federal officials report that Soliman, an Egyptian national, along with his family, has been living in the US without valid legal documentation.