The streets of Jerusalem were lined with thousands of mourners Mondy as they paid their final respects to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the American-Israeli who had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival and tragically lost his life while held captive by Hamas.
Video: Jon Goldberg-Polin speaks at the funeral / Photo: Yoni Rykner
His body was recovered from Gaza alongside five other hostages who were executed by Hamas terrorists just before Israeli forces reached them: Eden Yerushalmi, Alex Lobanov, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, and Carmel Gat. At the time of his abduction, Goldberg-Polin was 23 years old. He had attended the Nova festival with his close friend Aner Shapira, who did not survive the attack and saved many by repelling grenades hurled at them. The two sought refuge in a fortified structure that later became grimly known as the "death shelter." It was from this location that Goldberg-Polin was taken, having suffered the loss of a hand during the violent assault on their hideout.
President Isaac Herzog eulogized him in the speech, addressing the family, he said Israel failed in its task of rescuing him along with the other five soldiers. "Most of us have never met you; but you are so much present in our lives; We ask for forgiveness that we failed to return you home safely. Forgiveness that the country that you immigrated to at 7 years old, draped in an Israeli flag, did not succeed in protecting you...Rachel, Jon, Libi, and Orli, I ask for your forgiveness. Forgiveness that we didn't succeed in returning your Hersh home alive. Now we have an urgent and immediate task. The decision-makers must do everything possible, with determination and courage: to save those who can still be saved, and to return all our sons and daughters, our brother and sisters," he said.
"There is no door in the world that your beloved family has not opened to save you. There is no stone that they have not turned, there is no prayer that they have not cried out," he added.
Video: Rachel Goldberg-Polin speaking at the funeral / Credit: Yoni Rykner
"Please do what you can to have you shine light down on us, help us to rise again," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said in her eulogy of her son. "You will become our superpower," she continued, saying "you are finally free, I will miss you for every single day for the rest of my life, I know you are right here." Turning to the crowds, "Plesae help us in this new sickening chapter."
Video: Thousands bid farewell / Yori Yalon
"Now I no longer have to worry about you, you are no longer in danger. You are with beautiful Aner. I hope he will show you around," she said. "I pray that your death will be a turning point in this horrible situation we are in," she said, taking comfort in knowing that other hostages were near him during his last moments. "Okay, sweet boy, go now on your journey. I hope it's as good as the trips you dreamed about... Because finally, my sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally you're free. I will love you and I will miss you every single day."
Goldberg-Polin's story became emblematic of the October 7 attack, with his parents recently delivering a poignant address to the Democratic National Convention that resonated globally. On April 2, 2024, Hamas released footage of Goldberg-Polin in captivity, providing his family with their first confirmation that he was alive. Approximately two months prior, his family had consented to the release of video showing his abduction, along with fellow hostages Or Levy and Eliya Cohen.
Video: Thousands bid farewell / Yoni Rykner
As noted earlier, Hamas shared the first proof of life video after 201 days of captivity. The minutes-long recording showed Goldberg-Polin speaking to his family, revealing his injury and missing hand. In response to the video, his father, Jon, remarked, "Seeing and hearing him strengthened our hope, but we have reasons to be concerned about his health."
Throughout their son's captivity, Goldberg-Polin's parents spearheaded an international advocacy campaign. Their efforts included a meeting with US President Joe Biden during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States. During this encounter, they emphasized, "Any side that thinks they will gain politically by delaying the deal is mistaken."
