The parents of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin called for the immediate release of the remaining 109 captives held by Hamas in Gaza during an address on Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“This is a political convention. But needing our only son, and all of the cherished hostages, home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said Hersch’s father, Jonathan Polin.
“The families of the eight American hostages meet every few weeks in Washington. We are heartened that both Democratic and Republican leaders demonstrate their bipartisan support for our hostages being released,” he added, noting that he and his wife, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, both natives of the Chicago area, had met with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“They are both working tirelessly for a hostage and ceasefire deal that will bring our precious children, mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents and grandchildren home, and will stop the despair in Gaza,” he said.
“We are all deeply grateful to them. We are also profoundly thankful to the millions of people in the United States, and all over the world, who have been sending their love, support and strength to the hostage families. You have kept us breathing in our world without air,” he continued.
“In our Jewish tradition, we have a saying: kol adam olam umlo’o. Every person is an entire universe. We must save these universes. … The time is now,” he added.
Hersh’s parents were visibly moved as they stepped up to the podium to chants of “bring them home” from tens of thousands in the crowd at the United Center, with the camera showing tearful audience members during their nine minutes on stage pleading for their son’s release alongside the other hostages.
“Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring,” said Goldberg-Polin.
Concluding their remarks, she spoke directly to her son: “Hersh, if you can hear us. We love you. Stay strong. Survive.”
Hersh Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped on Oct. 6 from the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, where Hamas murdered 364 people and kidnapped 40 others. His left arm was blown off at the elbow during the assault.
In April, Hamas released a three-minute video of Hersh, the first proof of life provided since his abduction.
Last month, Jon and Rachel launched a “Week of Goodness” to bring global attention to the plight of the hostages.
The campaign includes an evening of communal singing at Tel Aviv’s “Hostages Square,” a Jewish Bible study session, accessible to the public via Zoom and various volunteer activities.
