Parents of American hostage in Gaza call for ceasefire deal at DNC; 'stay strong. survive!'

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the US hostage heldby Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, gave an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention. They brought the audience to tears, urging their son to stay strong and survive.Hersh’s parents wore a piece of tape with a number that signifies the number of days their son washeld captive, placed on their chest. The number read 320, highlighting that it has been 320 days, and their son has not returned home.

Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh, takes the stage

Goldberg recalled how her son Hersh was kidnapped at the Nova music festival on October 7 2023. She also mentioned that during the process, her son lost his arm. They have spent the months following that attack advocating for the hostages to be returned home.Rachel Goldberg doubled in tears after listening to the crowd chanting, “Bring them home.”

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Hersh's father talks about the government

Jon Polin said bringing hostages home is not a political issue but a humanitarian issue. He also mentioned that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are trying to reach a cease-fire deal that will help bring the hostages home. A cease-fire is an agreement between both groups to stop the fight between each other.

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Israel-Hamas War

The major issue at the convention this week is the Israel-Hamas war, with pro-Palestinian protestors marching in Chicago. They are demanding a cease-fire, and also asking Biden to withdraw its support for Gaza.

They emphasised the fact that one of the eight US citizens held in captivity by Gaza is their only son. They also mentioned the diversity of hostages held in Gaza. Ms Goldberg said, “They are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists,” she said. “They are from 23 different countries. The youngest hostage is a 1-year-old redheaded baby boy, and the oldest is an 86-year-old moustachioed grandfather.”

Mr Polin, while ending his words, said,"There is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict of the Middle East. In a competition of pain, there are no winners.” He added, “Every person is an entire universe. We must save all these universes.”

(With inputs from agencies)