The parents of a 23-year-old American taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel gave a moving speech Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention, pleading for the release of the dozens of people who continue to be held captive in Gaza.
“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 Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin lost his part of his left arm and was kidnapped from Israel by terrorists who attacked the Nova music festival he was attending.
Polin and his wife, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, were greeted with an extended ovation and chants of “bring him home” by the thousands of Democratic delegates in Chicago.
They steered clear of politics in their 10-minute speech, but Jon Polin said the families of the American hostages meet regularly in Washington and are heartened to see bipartisan support for securing the release of their loved ones. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, he said, are “both working tirelessly” for a deal between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages.
“Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stray strong, survive,” Rachel Polin-Goldberg said.
She and her husband wore stickers with the number 320, drawing attention to the number of days their son has been held.
The speech put an emotional and human face on the Israel-Hamas conflict, a sensitive issue for Democrats, who face pressure from pro-Palestinian protesters to more forcefully press Israel to end the war that has leveled much of the Gaza Strip.
More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, though some are believed to have died. Family members of six of the eight American hostages still held by Hamas were in Chicago to raise awareness about their loved ones’ plight.
Ronen and Orna Neutra, the parents of hostage Omer Neutra, were given a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention last month.
“Time is running out,” Ronen Neutra told The Associated Press at the Democratic convention. “And all leaders must work together in a bipartisan fashion to put pressure on both Hamas and the Israeli government and reach a deal that is so much overdue, so much overdue.”
On Tuesday, multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested after clashing with police during a protest that began outside the Israeli consulate and spilled out onto the surrounding streets.
Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday as the United States presses Israel and Hamas to agree to a “bridging proposal” that could lead to a cease-fire in the war in Gaza.
(AP)
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14 Responses
It is both heartbreaking that their only son is in the hands of Hamas and that they continue to support a political party that has withheld arms from Israel and opened the flood gates to let in millions of antisemitic people into the USA.
the party is the enemy …Democratic Party is not a friend of Israels and not one for this fine family
Amazing … They were given a chance to speak , & were not booed
Thank you for posting this.
The crowd did not just refrain from booing as ralphz points out, but if you watch the full clip on YouTube you will hear very loud applause followed by chants of “Bring Them Home”.
I have to admit I was surprised by this reaction from the audience. Unlike the emotionally charged sentiments of gjboy and tzedikis, I don’t think their presence at the DNC shows they support its policies nor do I think any party is going to save Israel. I also know the voices we hear that support Israel within the Democrat Party (yes they still do exists apparently) are far too quiet in allowing the pro Hamas wing control the narrative.
I cannot vote blue at this time but there are plenty of Dems whom I would vote for.
Republicans gave Gaza to Hamas.
I see he’s wearing a yarlmuka. Is he frum or thought it good to wear for the event?
Anyone here know?
@LONG iSLAND YID.
GOOOGLE THEM. THey are modern orthodox. That is frum.
The Dems have managed the Palestinian/pro-Hamas crazies very effectively. At the outset, instead of the 20,00-30,000 demonstrators predicted, there were maybe 1/10th that number on Tuesday night and fewer last night if you added together several separate demonstrations on different issues. They denied speaking slots to delegates who wanted to address the convention on their demands for a cease fire. And last night, they kept the Muslim iman delivering the closing benediction off the podium until well after midnight (EDT) when nearly all the delegates had left the arena and the TV networks (except for CSpan) had concluded their coverage
They are the ones funding Hamass/PLO/PA. The families are foolish thinking Harris/Biden really cares.
“support a political party that has withheld arms from Israel”
Wrong. Republicans in Congress have held up aid to Israel twice while Biden had been President and J D Vance voted against the most recent aid package. They are supporting the pro Israel party.
“Palestinian/pro-Hamas crazies”
The “Muslim-American Women for Harris” group disbanded yesterday because the parents of the hostages spoke and a pro Hamas Palestinian American was denied a speaking slot. The pro Hamas crowd are NOT Harris supporters and they probably wanted another 1968. The Democrats and the Chicago authorities denied them their spotlights.
heartbreaking…Democrats…….that is more heartbreaking is that these parents are more American and democrat then they are parents……not an American ….bullies the complete complex of Americans are simply bullies to Israel even the yidden here from America …shut up…..let Bibi run his Country……you Americans are monsters
“you Americans are monsters”
Tzedekis: I doubt there is a polite way to characterize your stupidity and lack of hakoras ha’tov for the billions of dollars of American military aid to EY and efforts of American air and naval forces to help defend EY at the risk of their own lives. So let me be impolite.. There is a special place for you in gehenom.
HERSH come home. Parents should be in Israel. Democrats will sell his soul