**Holocaust Survivor Calls for Kindness After Brutal Attack in Boulder**

BOULDER, Colo. - An 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, Barbara Steinmetz, who was injured in an attack involving a makeshift flamethrower, has issued a heartfelt plea for kindness, urging Americans to show decency and respect towards one another. Speaking publicly for the first time since Sunday's shocking incident, Steinmetz emphasized that the attack reflects a troubling trend of violence rather than any connection to the Holocaust.

Steinmetz, a member of the group Run for Their Lives, was participating in a peaceful demonstration advocating for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza when the attack occurred. Reflecting on the event, Steinmetz voiced her confusion and concern, asking, "What the hell is going on in our country?" She expressed a desire for Americans to be compassionate and respectful, asserting, "We are better than this."

The attack, allegedly carried out by a 45-year-old Egyptian national named Mohamed Sabry Soliman, left a dozen people injured, including Steinmetz, who sustained minor burns. Soliman is accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and throwing Molotov cocktails at the demonstrators. Authorities noted that similar to an incident in Washington 11 days earlier, the assailant shouted, "Free Palestine."

Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom, where Steinmetz is a member, confirmed her injuries and stated that she is expected to recover physically. However, he expressed concern about the psychological impact on a Holocaust survivor experiencing such an attack. Soloway described Soliman as "deluded and misguided," criticizing the belief that violence could alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

Barbara Steinmetz has a history marked by resilience, having escaped the Holocaust as a child. Born in Hungary, she and her family fled to several countries during World War II, eventually finding refuge in the Dominican Republic before relocating to the United States post-war. Steinmetz moved to Boulder in the mid-2000s and has been an active community member since.

Steinmetz's message resonates with a call for unity and compassion in times of division. Her plea for kindness serves as a powerful reminder of the values that can help heal and strengthen communities amid adversity.