Holocaust Survivor Burned in Boulder Declares: ‘We Are Better Than This’

BOULDER, Colo. — Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, responded to the horrific attack she endured during a peaceful demonstration supporting the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Addressing America, she emphatically stated, “We are better than this.” In her first public remarks since the incident, Steinmetz expressed that the attack was not connected to the Holocaust but rather the actions of a person wanting to harm others.

During the demonstration, she and members of the group Run for Their Lives were unexpectedly confronted by a man wielding a makeshift flamethrower. Reflecting on the disturbing violence, Steinmetz questioned the current state of the nation, asking, “What the hell is going on?” Steinmetz conveyed a desire for kindness and decency among individuals, urging Americans to treat one another with respect.

She stresses the importance of being decent human beings, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in today’s world. The attack, reportedly carried out by Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, left several injuries, including minor burns to Steinmetz. Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom, to which Steinmetz belongs, noted the emotional toll this event may take on someone who has already suffered through the Holocaust.

He estimated that at least six congregation members were injured, with two hospitalized. Steinmetz’s story began in Hungary but included harrowing escapes through multiple countries during WWII. After fleeing to France and then Portugal, her family ultimately found refuge in the Dominican Republic.

They later settled in the United States, where her parents resumed their careers in the hotel industry. Steinmetz moved to Boulder in the mid-2000s, continuing her life’s journey with the hope of fostering understanding among people.