A Brooklyn middle school declined to host a motivational talk from a pro-Israel Holocaust survivor, saying his message would not be suitable for the students, The New York Post reported Tuesday.

MS 447 Principal Arin Rusch responded to a parent’s request that Sami Steigmann address students about antisemitism by saying his presentation would not be right for the school “given his messages around Israel and Palestine.”

While the head of a Jewish teachers’ advocacy group called the situation “appalling,” the city Department of Education backed the principal, as did the office of Mayor Eric Adams, a vocal Israel advocate.

A statement from City Hall said the mayor “is dedicated to ensuring all New Yorkers — particularly our students and young adults — hear stories from the genocide and oppression of the Holocaust, so we never again perpetrate such evil.”

“While this speaker wasn’t the right fit, we will continue to ensure our students hear from the living survivors of this history into the future.”

NYC Department of Education spokeswoman Nicole Brownstein told The Post, “We are proud to have welcomed many Holocaust survivors into our schools, including MS 447, to share their stories. We thoroughly evaluate every classroom speaker and are careful to ensure speakers maintain political neutrality, especially on contentious current events, as required in a public school setting.”

According to The New York Post, a parent had written to Rusch suggesting that Steigman speak at the Boerum Hill school.

In a responding letter on November 18, Rusch wrote, “In looking at his website material, I also don’t think that Sami’s presentation is right for our........

© The Times of Israel