Hamas hostage's parents deliver emotional speech at DNC, urging for hostage deal

Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin — whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin is among the 109 hostages being held by Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack against Israel — delivered an emotional speech on the third day of the Democratic National Convention, urging for a hostage deal.

“In an inflamed Middle East, we know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region — a deal that brings this diverse group of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza,” Polin said in Chicago. 

“The time is now.”

The couple took the stage, taking several moments before addressing the crowd as the DNC attendees cheered. At one point, Goldberg-Polin closed her eyes and placed her hand on her heart as the crowd began to chant “bring them home!” Some members in the audience wiped away tears. 

Goldberg-Polin recounted the story of their son getting kidnapped in Israel while attending a musical festival, where he lost one of his limbs before being taken away. 

“That was 320 days ago. Since then, we live on another planet,” she said. “Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that John and I and all the hostage families are enduring.” 

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have worked to shore up a deal involving a cease-fire and the return of hostages held by Hamas, though Israel and Hamas have struggled to reach a compromise. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East without a deal secured on Wednesday. 

Polin said he was “deeply grateful” to President Biden and Vice President Harris, who he said were “working tirelessly for a hostage and cease-fire deal.” 

“We're also profoundly thankful to you, the millions of people in the United States and all over the world who have been sending love, support and strength to the hostage families,” he added. “You've kept us breathing in a world without air.”

The Israel-Hamas conflict and the Biden administration’s handling of the war has rocked the Democratic Party, particularly as progressives, Arab and Muslim Americans and other voting blocs have voiced frustration over the humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza after Israel answered Hamas’ attack with its own military offensive. 

Ahead of the couple’s speech at the convention, the Uncommitted Movement said in a string of posts on X that they hoped the DNC would also allow a Palestinian speaker to address the convention as well.

“Excluding a Palestinian speaker betrays the party’s commitment in our platform to valuing Israelis and Palestinian lives equally. Vice President Harris must unite this party with a vision that fights for everyone, including Palestinians,” the group wrote on X.