Israeli-American : Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, was found dead in Gaza over the weekend, along with five others. His death has elicited a wave of sorrow and remembrance, as he was remembered as a beacon of hope for many during his captivity. A vigil held at Columbus Circle in New York City on Sunday night gathered numerous people who came to light candles and pay their respects. A poster at the vigil prominently featured a photo of Goldberg-Polin with the word “Kidnapped” underscoring the gravity of his loss.
Goldberg-Polin, who was 23 years old and held dual citizenship in the United States and Israel, had a deep passion for soccer, music, and travel. Born in the Bay Area, he moved to Israel at the age of 8, where he grew up and later became internationally known due to his abduction. His parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, made numerous public appeals for the safe return of their son and the other hostages, engaging in advocacy at various levels, including speaking at the Democratic National Convention. Their tireless efforts were driven by their hope for their son’s safe return, symbolized by the number 320, representing the days Hersh had been held captive.
Goldberg-Polin’s tragic end came while he was attending a music festival in Israel. During his captivity, he was seriously injured while defending a shelter from Hamas gunmen. His parents’ advocacy and their poignant public statements have drawn widespread sympathy and admiration. Their commitment to bringing Hersh and other hostages back has been a source of inspiration for many.
Israeli-American:At the vigil in Manhattan, people gathered to reflect on Goldberg-Polin’s life and the impact of his death. The event was a somber occasion, marked by lighting candles and singing songs of mourning and hope. One of the songs, “Kol Ha’Olam Kulo,” which translates to “the whole world is a narrow bridge, but the most important thing is not to fear at all,” resonated with the attendees as they grappled with their grief.
Goldberg-Polin’s death has been sparked a profound response from communities across the United States. In Chicago, where the Goldberg-Polin’s parents grew up, there was a significant emotional outpouring. Susan Gordon Newman, a local marketing to professional, expressed deep sadness at the loss, reflecting on the shattered hope that he had sustained many of them through the long months of captivity. Similarly, Christine Blevins, a property manager from the Chicago, voiced frustration with the prolonged conflict and its divisive impact.
Israeli-American:The city of Skokie, Illinois, where the Goldberg-Polin’s family had previously lived, also felt that sting of this tragedy. Alfred Aghapour, a neighbor who attended that the same synagogue, described of his heartbreak upon hearing the news. Rabbi Leonard Matanky of Chicago’s Ida Crown Jewish Academy, where the Goldberg-Polin parents graduated, shared that the school community had been closely following to the situation and had displayed Goldberg-Polin’s photo and a prayer for the hostages around to the school.
In the wake of Goldberg-Polin’s death, there are remain seven U.S. citizens still in Hamas captivity, with Israeli authorities of reporting over 60 living hostages and approximately as of 35 deceased. The Israeli military has stated that the six hostages, including of Goldberg-Polin, were killed by Hamas operatives at close range. Hamas has initially deflected responsibility but later claimed, without evidence, that the hostages were killed by Israeli military actions.
The emotional impact of Goldberg-Polin’s death has extended beyond his immediate circle to many who did not know him personally but felt connected through shared human compassion and solidarity. For Yael Nidam Kirsht, a graduate student whose own family was affected by the conflict, Goldberg-Polin’s story was a painful reminder of the personal toll of such violence. She had been inspired by Goldberg-Polin’s mother’s message of hope and had participated in a vigil in Berkeley, where Goldberg-Polin was born.
Despite the deep sorrow felt by many, there remains a glimmer of hope among the families and advocates. Orna Neutra, whose son was also taken by Hamas, spoke of the strong bonds formed between the families and their shared commitment to continuing the fight for the remaining hostages. Rachel Goldberg’s public statements, even in the midst of her grief, continue to inspire calls for an end to the violence and a resolution to the hostage situation.
As the situation evolves, the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring hope for resolution and peace. His story has touched lives across the world, highlighting the broader implications of such tragedies and the collective yearning for a future free from that such suffering.
Israeli-American erupt in protest to demand a cease-fire after 6 more hostages die in Gaza
In Tel Aviv on Sunday night, a significant demonstration unfolded as tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in response to the discovery of six more hostages’ bodies in Gaza. The protesters, shouting “Now! Now!” voiced their frustration and demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate a cease-fire with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining captives. This outpouring of anger and grief marked one of the largest demonstrations in the 11 months of conflict, reflecting a deepening national divide.
Israeli-American:The Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, added to the pressure on the government by calling a general strike for Monday. This is the first strike since the war began on October 7, and it aims to disrupt key sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare, and the country’s main airport.
Negotiations for a cease-fire have stalled for months, with many blaming Netanyahu for the impasse. Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis support a cease-fire, but Netanyahu’s approach of pursuing “total victory” against Hamas has garnered substantial backing as well. Despite this, the continued captivity of hostages has fueled mounting frustration.
On Sunday evening, thousands of demonstrators, some in tears, gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, while in Tel Aviv, relatives of hostages marched with coffins to symbolize the human cost of the conflict.
The discovery of the bodies of the six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who was originally from Berkeley, California, has intensified public outrage. Goldberg-Polin, who had previously been shown alive in a Hamas video in April, was among those found dead. The other victims were identified as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40. They were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire deal proposed in July, adding to the sense of loss and frustration.
Israeli-American:The Israeli military reported that all six hostages had been shot at close range and had died between Thursday and Friday. Their bodies were discovered in a tunnel in Rafah, a southern city in Gaza, approximately one kilometer from where another hostage had been rescued alive the previous week. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, stated that Israeli forces recovered the bodies from the tunnel during ongoing combat operations, though there was no direct firefight in the tunnel itself. He firmly attributed the killings to Hamas.
The revelation of the hostages’ deaths has heightened tensions and amplified calls for immediate action to secure the release of the remaining captives. The tragic development has significantly influenced public sentiment and further complicated the already intricate dynamics of the conflict.