Rise Above: Achieving Your Potential
- Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, issued a statement Tuesday following an attack during a Boulder, Colorado, exhibition advocating for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
- In her first public remarks as Sunday's attack, Steinmetz told NBC News that the incident "has nothing to do with the Holocaust; it has to do with a...
- Steinmetz, still shaken, questioned, "What the hell is going on in our country?
In the wake of a shocking attack, Holocaust survivor Barbara Steinmetz, 88, calls for unity and decency after being injured at a Boulder rally advocating for Israeli hostages. This act underscores the urgent need for increased security at rallies and a renewed focus on combating hate crimes. steinmetz, who sustained burns in the assault, passionately urges Americans to rise above animosity, emphasizing that we are “better than this.” The incident is also a somber reminder of the importance of supporting holocaust survivors and confronting the rise of antisemitism. News Directory 3 is following this story closely. What steps will the community take to ensure peace and tolerance moving forward?
holocaust Survivor Attacked at Boulder Hostage Rally: “We Are Better Than This”
Updated June 03, 2025
Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, issued a statement Tuesday following an attack during a Boulder, Colorado, exhibition advocating for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Steinmetz, who sustained burns in the assault, declared, ”We are better than this.”
In her first public remarks as Sunday’s attack, Steinmetz told NBC News that the incident “has nothing to do with the Holocaust; it has to do with a human being that wants to burn other people.” She emphasized that she and fellow members of Run for Their Lives were peacefully demonstrating when the attack occurred.
Steinmetz, still shaken, questioned, “What the hell is going on in our country? What the hell is going on?” She urged Americans to be “nice and decent to each other, kind, respectful, encompassing,” adding, “We’re Americans. We are better than this. That’s what I want them to know.That they be kind and decent human beings.” The incident highlights the need for increased security at rallies and a stronger focus on combating hate crimes.
Steinmetz, a Hungarian native, was among a dozen injured in the attack allegedly perpetrated by Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national. Police reported that Soliman also threw Molotov cocktails at the demonstrators.The attack happened shortly after the shooting of two Israeli Embassy workers in Washington, D.C., where the attacker also reportedly yelled, “Free Palestine.”
“It’s about what the hell is going on in our country,” Steinmetz said. ”What the hell is going on?”
Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom in boulder, where Steinmetz is a member, confirmed that she suffered minor burns and is expected to recover physically. However, he expressed concern about the emotional impact on someone who had already survived the Holocaust. “Can you imagine the trauma that that reactivates? It’s just horrendous,” Soloway said.
Soloway explained that Steinmetz was participating in a weekly walk to raise awareness about the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza. Five other members of his congregation were also injured, with two still hospitalized.He described Soliman, who faces charges including attempted murder and a hate crime, as “deluded and misguided,” stating that violence would not alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The incident underscores the importance of supporting holocaust survivors and addressing the rise of antisemitism.
What’s next
Authorities are continuing their inquiry into the attack, and Soliman is awaiting his next court appearance. The Boulder community is rallying to support Steinmetz and the other victims, reaffirming their commitment to peace and tolerance.