A wave of grief and anger washed over Jerusalem as the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a slain Israeli-American hostage, was held on Monday. The 23-year-old’s vibrant life was cut short during his captivity by Hamas, leaving behind a community in mourning. Hundreds gathered at the funeral service, while thousands more lined the streets of Jerusalem to observe the procession to the cemetery.
The atmosphere was thick with sorrow as the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin bid a heart-wrenching farewell. His mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, delivered a poignant eulogy, begging for forgiveness from her son. “Finally, finally, finally you are free!” she exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion. She and her husband Jon shared stories of their son, describing him as funny, curious, and unwavering in his pursuit of justice.
The family’s grief was compounded by their anger at the Israeli leadership. They blamed the government for failing to secure Hersh’s release and for allowing the situation to escalate to this point. The family expressed hope that Hersh’s death might serve as a turning point, prompting swift action to end the conflict and bring the remaining hostages home. “We failed you, we all failed you. You would not have failed you,” said Jon Goldberg-Polin. “Maybe your death is the stone, the fuel, that will bring home the 101 other hostages.”
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also spoke at the funeral, offering condolences and expressing regret. “Sorry Hersh, sorry we couldn’t bring you back alive,” he said.
The discovery of Goldberg-Polin’s body, along with those of five other hostages, in an underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, has ignited public outrage. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets over the weekend, demanding action from their government. Many blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the hostages’ release, believing a deal could have saved their lives.
The tragic loss of Hersh Goldberg-Polin has deepened the political divisions in Israel. A general strike was called on Monday in protest of the ongoing conflict and the lack of progress in securing a ceasefire. While the strike was largely observed, some areas ignored it, reflecting the deep political divides within the country.
As the nation mourns the loss of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages, the calls for a ceasefire grow louder. The question remains: will this tragedy finally be the catalyst for a resolution to the conflict?
