Parents of Israeli American hostage make emotional plea at DNC

The parents of Israeli American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, sharing their deeply emotional story in the hope of keeping pressure on negotiators for a ceasefire deal and hostage release

As Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin approached the lectern, amid the fourth night of pro-Palestinian protesters marching toward the United Center, delegates stood and applauded, and tens of thousands started to chant “Bring them home.” At one point before speaking, Rachel Goldberg-Polin bowed her head, almost collapsing, wiping away tears.

“Anyone who is a parent or has had parents can try to imagine the anguish and misery that all the hostage families are enduring,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin said.

Dozens of delegates and elected officials on the convention floor were moved to tears as they listened to the speech. Rachel Goldberg-Polin described how their son had been taken hostage from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7 and sustained severe injuries after he attempted to throw grenades out of a bomb shelter before his arm was blown off from the elbow down. 

“His dominant arm was blown off before he was loaded onto a pickup truck and stolen from his life — and me and Jon into Gaza and that was 320 days ago,” she said. “Since then, we live on another planet.”

Hamas released a video in April that showed Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the first significant evidence that he survived the severe injuries he sustained during his capture. 

“This is a political convention, but bringing our only son and all of the cherished hostages home is not a political issue,” Polin said as delegates applauded and cheered. “This is a humanitarian issue.”

The couple have become among the most recognizable relatives of any of the hostages, especially in the United States. Families of the eight American hostages have been at the DNC this week, sharing their stories. Ronen and Orna Neutra, the parents of American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra, addressed the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.  

The speech comes as Pro-Palestinian protests have erupted in Chicago near the convention center. Demonstrators upset over the Biden administration’s support for Israel and its failure to end the war in Gaza marched with signs, calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to break with President Joe Biden and embrace an arms embargo. 

DNC organizers have faced pressure from Gaza activists and uncommitted delegates to offer a similar speaking slot. 

“Uncommitted delegates urge the Democratic Party to reject a hierarchy of human value by ensuring Palestinian voices are heard on the main stage,” the Uncommitted National Movement wrote on X. “We are learning that Israeli hostages’ families will be speaking from the main stage. We strongly support that decision and also strongly hope that we will also be hearing from Palestinians who’ve endured the largest civilian death toll since 1948.” 

Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) both quoted the post, with Tlaib tagging the DNC X account and adding, “Why are you saying that Israeli children are more valuable than Palestinian children? Where is our shared humanity? Stop erasing Palestinians. We exist. We deserve to be heard.” 

The Israeli military announced Tuesday that it recovered the bodies of six hostages taken in the attack that started the war in Gaza, as negotiations for a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are ongoing. 

Toward the end of their remarks, Polin acknowledged the suffering on both sides of the conflict and emphasized they want a deal that “ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza.” 

“There is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict in the Middle East,” Polin said. “In a competition of pain, there are no winners.”

Rachel Goldberg-Polin wrapped up her remarks, speaking directly to her son. 

“Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you. Stay strong, survive,” she said.