A Holocaust survivor banned from speaking to a Brooklyn middle school last month will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day with what Jewish leaders are calling a hollow visit from Mayor Mamdani – amounting to nothing more than a “photo op.”
Sami Steigmann, 86, who spent his childhood years in a labor camp in Ukraine and was subjected to Nazi medical experimentation, is expecting a visit Tuesday from the socialist mayor – who has been dogged by accusations of fueling antisemitism with his anti-Israel rhetoric.
“Of course he’s going to use me,” Steigmann conceded to The Post.
Mamdani’s visit is not expected to last more than 10 minutes — just long enough to snap a photo with the heroic survivor. The mayor also plans to bring his video team along.
“The mayor’s office can spin the meeting any way they want,” the source said.
“I asked if I can bring somebody,” the octogenarian said, but he was told no by nonprofit Blue Card, which helps Holocaust survivors and arranged the meet and greet.
While Steigmann’s uplifting talks to schoolchildren and groups usually last an hour, he knows he won’t have that kind of time to share his harrowing tale with Mamdani.
“He’s not going to listen to a survivor’s story,” he said. “What can we do in 10 minutes?”
Despite his friends urging him to rebuff the socialist from using him as a pawn, Steigmann sees it as an opportunity.
“Of course it’s for a photo op – he’s a politician. But I’ll talk to anybody,” said Steigmann who’s pinning his hopes that the mayor can help him with affordable housing as he’s desperate to get out of his Harlem walk-up apartment. “I’m aware of it – he’s using me.”
The mayor’s office insisted Mamdani is a friend of the Jews.
“Mayor Zohran Mamdani is unwavering in his commitment to confronting and eradicating antisemitism wherever it appears in our city, and to ensuring that future generations understand the history and lessons of the Holocaust,” said City Hall spokesperson Monica Klein.
But Jewish leaders questioned what they called Mamdani’s empty gesture.
“Hopefully Mayor Mamdani can utilize this meeting as an opportunity to learn a thing or two from Sami, understand the struggles of those who lived through an actual genocide, and this meeting will be more than just a useless photo op used by Mamdani to pretend he cares about Jews,” blasted Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.
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