A Holocaust survivor in New York City has been invited to a Brooklyn middle school that denied him a speaking opportunity due to his support for Israel, a Jewish city legislator says.
The principal of MS 447 refused to host Sami Steigmann, a survivor who often speaks about the genocide and in support of Israel, last week.
The principal responded to a parent’s request to host Steigmann by saying his presentation would not be right for the school “given his messages around Israel and Palestine.”
The refusal set off a wave of condemnations, including from New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican representing part of South Brooklyn, says the city council’s Jewish Caucus spoke with NYC Public Schools about the issue, “and they confirmed that [Steigmann] is invited to speak at the school.”
Vernikov says on X that she is awaiting a date for the talk from the city’s education department.
Vernikov adds that she “demanded that the principal issue a public apology” to Steigmann.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
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