Parents of Murdered Hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin Plead with Trump After Latest Hostage Release
The anguish of losing a child to violence is a pain no parent should have to endure. The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American abducted from Israel, have made a poignant appeal for action following the release of hostages by Hamas, as they grapple with the tragic loss of their son.
A Message of Hope and Grief
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin expressed their emotions upon hearing about the release of three Israeli civilians: Eli Sharabi (52), Or Levy (34), and Ohad Ben Ami (56). This landmark event came after a tumultuous year during which approximately 250 individuals were taken hostage during Hamas’s heinous attack on October 7, 2023.
While the release of the three men stirred joy, it was tempered by the heartbreaking context of their ordeal. Rachel Goldberg-Polin noted the personal connection between the freed hostages and their son, Hersh. Or Levy was taken from the same bomb shelter and truck as Hersh during that fateful day. “We received the wonderful news that Eli, Or, and Ohad were released today,” Rachel shared with their followers on the Bring.Hersh.Home account, which has amassed over 173,000 followers. However, the dark undercurrents of their shared experiences came to light, particularly when Levy’s brother, Mikha’el, contacted them post-Shabbat. Mikha’el revealed that Or’s first question upon release was, ‘How is Hersh doing?’, blissfully unaware of the tragic fate that had befallen him.
A Direct Plea to Trump
Jon Polin, his voice filled with desperation, directly addressed former President Donald Trump and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. “You have proven to be the only ones capable of making progress,” Polin insisted. He urged for the immediate release of the remaining 76 hostages, emphasizing the urgent need to end the protracted conflict.
“Seeing the condition of these three hostages… it’s a gut punch,” Polin lamented. He continued, “Let’s aim bigger and faster—76 hostages out this week. End the war. Who benefits from dragging this on? Not the people of this region. Let’s get it done now.” His wife Rachel echoed his sentiment with a heartfelt, “Godspeed.”
Goldberg-Polin’s Tragic Fate
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, originally from Berkeley, California, was attending a music festival on October 7 when Hamas militants launched their surprise attack, resulting in nearly 1,200 casualties along with the abduction of 250 others. During the chaos, Hersh was severely injured by a grenade explosion that left him with severe wounds, including the loss of a portion of his left arm.
A video released in April showed Hersh under duress, where he spoke about his extensive injuries. This gruesome revelation sparked widespread protests in Israel. Tragically, in August, Hamas executed Hersh and five other hostages just moments before Israeli forces reached their location in southern Gaza. Forensic analysis later revealed that they had been executed at close range, after enduring nearly a year of captivity.
Freed Hostages Face Heartbreaking Revelations
For the recently released hostages, the emotional repercussions of their captivity became acutely evident upon their return. Each faced shocking news regarding their families, forever altering their lives.
- Eli Sharabi returned home after 16 months only to learn that his wife and two daughters had been killed in the October 7 attack, a devastating revelation that obliterated any joy from his release.
- Or Levy was taken from a bomb shelter during the Nova music festival. He had no idea about the fate of his wife, Einav, until his mother, Geula, tearfully informed him that she had been killed. Despite this tragedy, Levy was reunited with his 3-year-old son on Saturday.
- Ohad Ben Ami, from Kibbutz Be’eri—one of the communities most affected by the attack—sat with his wife and three daughters following his release. “I have a lot of things to catch up on,” he told them, acknowledging the necessity of confronting painful truths ahead.
This emotional exchange marked the fifth hostage-prisoner exchange since the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on January 19. The stories of these individuals remind us of the horrors of conflict and the toll it takes on families, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution and healing in the region.
The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin continue to fight not only for the memory of their son but for the safe return of all remaining hostages. Their plea is a powerful reminder of the personal impact of such tragedies and the relentless hope for peace amidst the darkness.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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