Adams backtracks and admits pro-Israel Holocaust survivor should’ve spoken at NYC school

Mayor Eric Adams reversed course early Thursday and admitted a Holocaust survivor with pro-Israel views should’ve been allowed to speak about antisemitism at a Brooklyn middle school.

The mayor’s office initially said it agreed with MS 447 principal Arin Rusch’s decision to keep 85-year-old Sami Steigmann from appearing at the Boerum Hill school – but Adams claimed that statement “went out prematurely.”  

“Let me be very clear, I’ve previously met with Sami Steigmann and he is ABSOLUTELY the right person to speak with kids about the atrocities of the Holocaust,” Adams said in a post on X late Wednesday.

Controversy erupted this week when The Post reported that Steigmann was denied an opportunity to speak at the school last month by Rusch because of his strong support of Israel.

Steigmann argued that he had no intention of discussing Middle East current events with the youngsters, and would only keep his talk to the Holocaust and antisemitism. He said he would have told the principal that if she had spoken to him.

Nevertheless, he was still denied a speaking spot and the Mayor’s office put out a statement this week confirming Rusch’s ruling.

A mayoral spokesperson said Monday that Steigmann “wasn’t the right fit,” but was committed to featuring other speakers with a similar experience.

Steigmann slammed the Adams administration’s statement, and accused the school of censorship.

Hizzoner finally backtracked in an X post he put online around midnight.

“I’m in New Orleans for the Combat Antisemitism conference and read a report about an unfortunate incident involving New York City Schools not allowing a Holocaust survivor to speak at a local school,” Adams said. “Unfortunately, a statement went out prematurely from my office that said he was not the right speaker.”

“As our Jewish community faces increased antisemitism and persecution across the globe, it’s more important now than ever that we learn the lessons and stories of the Holocaust,” he added.

Adams, an Democrat who’s about to leave office at the end of the month, has been a consistent supporter of Israel.

The DOE, which also originally said it supported Steigmann not speaking, did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday morning.