The parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced his death early Sunday, just days after their speech at the Democratic National Convention captivated Israelis.
"With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh." The Goldberg-Polin family said in a statement. "The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time."
Late Saturday, the IDF said bodies were announced during operational activity in the Gaza Strip. Israeli-American Hersh was taken from the Nova music festival to the Gaza Strip and lost an arm from a grenade when he was abducted on Oct. 7.
President Joe Biden reacted to the tragic news, saying, "I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas' savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world. I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable.
"They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.
"Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages," Biden vowed.
Vice President Kamala Harris also released a statement about Goldberg-Polin: "As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh's memory be a blessing. Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas' depravity is evident and horrifying. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel – and American citizens in Israel – must be eliminated, and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people, too, have suffered under Hamas' rule for nearly two decades."
So… Kamala let's dispense with the "ceasefire" bullsh*t speeches and how many "innocent" civilians are getting killed… let's stop talking about the never going to happen two state nonsense… and let's all forget how you did your very best to prevent the IDF from going into…
— AniYehudi - ברוך (@AYehudi1948) September 1, 2024
Similarly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, "Hersh Goldberg-Polin is an American hero who will be remembered for his kindness and selflessness. Our hearts break for Jon, Rachel, and their entire family, as well as the other families who found out today their loved ones won't be coming home. May their memory be a blessing.
"The killing of these hostages only further confirms Hamas's depravity. It should release all the hostages immediately. We will continue to work with our partners in the region to secure an agreement without delay that frees the remaining hostages," he wrote.
In a powerful moment at the Democratic National Convention in August, Rachel and Jon Goldberg delivered an emotional plea for the release of all hostages held in Gaza on Wednesday night in Chicago.
Rachel began by painting a vivid picture of the hostages' plight: "And at this moment, 109 treasured human beings are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. They are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. They are from 23 different countries. The youngest hostage is a one-year-old redheaded, baby boy and the oldest is an 86-year-old mustachioed grandad. Among the hostages are eight American citizens. One of those Americans is our only son. His name is Hersh, he's 23 years old and, like Vice President Kamala Harris, Hersh was born in Oakland."
Hersh Goldberg-Polin is an American hero who will be remembered for his kindness and selflessness. Our hearts break for Jon, Rachel, and their entire family, as well as the other families who found out today their loved ones won't be coming home. May their memory be a blessing.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 1, 2024
She went on to share personal details about her son, including his love for music, his support for the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer team, and his sense of humor. Rachel recounted the terror attack on the festival-goers, highlighting the heroism of Hersh's friend, Aner Shapira, who threw back grenades hurled by the attackers until he was killed by absorbing the explosives of the eighth grenade and thus saving the others who were hiding with him in an improvised shelter.
Jon emphasized the non-partisan nature of their cause: "This is a political convention, but needing our only son and all of the cherished hostages, home is not a political issue. It is, it is a humanitarian issue, the families, the families of the hostages meet every few weeks in Washington, we're heartened that both Democratic and Republican leaders demonstrate their bipartisan support for our hostages being released.
He called for an immediate agreement to help de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Rachel concluded with a heartrending appeal to her son: "Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you. Stay strong, survive." The father then added, "Bring them home." At the end of the speech, the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation.
The terror group Hamas published several months ago a propaganda video featuring Hersh. The short, undated video showed the 23-year-old missing a lower left arm. He was shown saying he had sustained serious injuries during the Oct. 7 attack "after I tried using my body as a shield to protect myself and other fearful civilians."
