Jewish News Today: Boulder Hate Crime Conviction, Montreal Synagogue Attacked Again, and APA Rejects Antisemitism Report

A man who carried out an antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado has pleaded guilty to twelve hate crimes, admitting his motive was Jew-hatred. That conviction coincides with a fresh attack on a Montreal synagogue — the second in six months — and a continuing row in the United States over how institutions are responding to antisemitism in the Jewish community and beyond.

Boulder Attacker Admits Antisemitic Motive

Mohamed Soliman has pleaded guilty to twelve hate crimes following an attack in Boulder, Colorado, with prosecutors confirming that Jew-hatred was the explicit driver. "By his own admissions, Mohamed Soliman's hateful attack on our neighbors in Boulder was antisemitic," said Peter McNeilly, U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado, according to JNS. The guilty plea marks one of the most significant individual antisemitism convictions in recent American Jewish news, and will be closely watched by diaspora community leaders monitoring the effectiveness of hate crime legislation in protecting Jewish residents.

Montreal Synagogue Targeted for Second Time in Six Months

A synagogue in Montreal has been targeted in an antisemitic incident for the second time within six months, according to JNS. The Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued a joint statement calling for the attacks to stop: "Enough is enough. This must stop," the organisations said. The repeated targeting of the same house of worship underlines growing concern about the safety of Jewish institutions in Canada. No further details about the nature of the attack were provided in the sources available.

American Psychological Association Pushes Back on House Antisemitism Report

The American Psychological Association has formally rejected a House of Representatives report on Jew-hatred within the profession. According to JNS, APA president Wendi S. Williams and CEO Arthur C. Evans, Jr. said the group has "held listening sessions" with Jewish psychologists, but disputed the report's findings. This follows previous coverage of what the House report described as "heartbreaking" findings about antisemitism inside the APA. The organisation's rejection of the report's conclusions has drawn criticism from Jewish advocacy groups who say institutional responses to antisemitism continue to fall short.

Michigan Anti-Israel Intimidation Case: Two Suspects Still at Large

Two defendants in a Michigan case involving anti-Israel intimidation remain at large, JNS reports. Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office, issued a direct warning: "Justice will find you." The case involves a campaign of intimidation targeting individuals connected to Israel advocacy. The fact that two suspects have evaded arrest will concern Jewish community members in Michigan and across the broader American Jewish diaspora.

Jewish Student Faced "Severe, Persistent" Antisemitism at Arizona Middle School

The Anti-Defamation League has reported that a Jewish student suffered "severe, persistent" Jew-hatred at an Arizona public middle school. According to JNS, the ADL stated that rather than address the harassment systemically, "the district isolated the victim and attempted to make excuses for the antisemitic harassment." The case adds to a pattern of reported failures by American educational institutions to protect Jewish pupils, and comes as a parallel debate continues in the UK following the Bell Review's examination of antisemitism in schools.

UK: Bell Review's Reference to Islamism in School Antisemitism Draws Reaction

In Britain, the Jewish Chronicle reports that the Bell Review into school antisemitism contains what the paper describes as a "quiet nod" to the role of Islamism in driving Jew-hatred in schools. According to the Chronicle, even a faint acknowledgement of that connection has provoked criticism from the left, with the paper arguing this reaction itself suggests the report's modest recommendations carry more weight than they may initially appear. The Bell Review and its implementation remain a live issue for British Jewish communities concerned about the safety of Jewish children in state schools.

Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council Moves to Divest from Israel Bonds

The Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council has called for divestment from Israel Bonds and from companies doing business with Israel, while simultaneously stating it disavows boycotts, according to JNS. Attorney Joe Sabag was blunt in his assessment, telling JNS: "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, that's what it is. What I think we're looking at here is BDS in function but not form." The move is likely to intensify debate among American Jewish organisations about how to respond to municipal-level economic measures targeting Israel.

Israeli Election Fallout: Netanyahu's Fraud Claims Rejected, Coalition Questions Remain

Following last week's Israeli election, in which the right-wing bloc won 53 seats with Likud taking the top spot, the controversy over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims of electoral fraud continues. Israeli election officials have rejected Netanyahu's allegation that Qatari-funded efforts to boost Arab voter turnout constituted interference that "stole" the election, according to reporting by the Forward and JTA. Officials found no evidence of widespread fraud, a conclusion consistent with reporting from multiple outlets. The dispute has opened a separate debate about the role of Arab parties in any future governing coalition: Rabbi Josh Weinberg of the Union for Reform Judaism told JNS that "a lot of people voted practically," and called for Arab parties to be included in the next government. The Forward carries a similar argument, noting this could represent an opportunity for Israel's political centre to broaden its coalition.

Georgia Senate Race Poses Difficult Choices for Jewish Voters

With voting taking place Tuesday in Georgia, the Forward and JTA report that Jewish voters face a stark choice in the Senate race between Democrat Jon Ossoff, who has backed limiting arms sales to Israel, and Republican Mike Collins, who has ties to white nationalists. The race is being watched as a test of how Israel policy and concerns about extremism are weighing on Jewish electoral decisions, at a time when JNS reports a broader national shift in which American voters are moving "from party line to candidate position on Israel."

New York: Pelosi Criticises Mamdani on Israel

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has publicly criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's position on Israel, saying simply: "It's wrong," according to JTA. The statement from one of the Democratic Party's most prominent figures adds to pressure on Mamdani as he seeks re-election in a race where Jewish voters remain a significant constituency. JTA also reports that Jewish teens in New York — too young to vote — are actively volunteering for opposing candidates in the mayoral race, driven by concerns about Israel, antisemitism, and their community's future.

Jewish Candidate for UN Secretary-General Wins Straw Poll Again — But Faces Obstacle

Rebeca Grynspan, the Jewish candidate seeking to become United Nations Secretary-General, has again won a Security Council straw poll, securing support from 11 of the 15 members, according to JNS. However, the remaining four members are not yet backing her, and JNS reports there is no indication her current support is sufficient to secure the nomination. The outcome of the UN leadership contest has direct implications for how the international body approaches Israel-related resolutions and the treatment of Jewish communities globally.

Foundation for Jewish Camp Launches $45 Million Access Initiative

The Foundation for Jewish Camp has announced a $45 million, five-year initiative aimed at reducing the cost of overnight camp for families and improving facilities, according to JNS. The programme is intended to make Jewish summer camp accessible to a broader range of families — an effort that Jewish communal leaders across the diaspora have long identified as central to sustaining Jewish identity among younger generations.

New York: $10 Million Announced for 14th Street Y Renovations

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $10 million in funding for renovations to the 14th Street Y, according to JNS. Alexis Off, quoted by JNS, said the investment "will help us meet the growing demand for Jewish connection by creating more space for community, creativity and belonging at a time when Jewish joy matters more than ever." The funding represents one of the larger single investments in Jewish communal infrastructure in New York in recent memory.

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