Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin is among the 109 hostages captured by Hamas after the attack on Israel on October 7, delivered a poignant address during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. They made an urgent call for a resolution to secure the hostages’ release.
“In a region as inflamed as the Middle East, securing a deal to bring these 109 hostages home and alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s innocent civilians is the most immediate way to ease the tension and restore peace,” Polin asserted from the convention stage in Chicago. “The time to act is now.”
Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin call for urgent action to secure the release of hostages at the DNC
Their speech was laden with deep emotion. As Goldberg-Polin took the stage, she paused to collect herself, placing her hand over her heart and closing her eyes while the audience chanted “bring them home!” The scene evoked tears and a strong emotional response from many attendees.
Goldberg-Polin recounted the traumatic events of their son’s abduction in Israel, where he suffered severe injuries before being taken. “It’s been 320 days since that horrific day. Our lives have felt like they exist on a different planet since then,” she shared. “The anguish that John and I, along with the other families of hostages, are experiencing is beyond words.”
The United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, have been working to broker a cease-fire and negotiate the hostages’ release, but a resolution remains elusive, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaving the Middle East without a deal.
Polin expressed profound appreciation for President Biden and Vice President Harris, acknowledging their tireless efforts toward achieving a resolution. “We are also deeply grateful to the countless individuals who have shown their support and strength to the hostage families. Your solidarity has been a vital source of hope for us.”
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, has created discord within the Democratic Party. This tension is particularly evident among progressives and other groups concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Prior to the Polins’ speech, the Uncommitted Movement had criticized the DNC for not including a Palestinian speaker, arguing that this omission contradicted the party’s commitment to valuing both Israeli and Palestinian lives equally.
