Mother's Unwavering Vigil: Rachel Goldberg-Polin's Eight-Month Battle for Son's Release from Gaza Hostage Crisis
A mother named Rachel Goldberg-Polin, who is originally from the US and now lives in Jerusalem, has a tape with her son Hersh's number of days in hostage situation in Gaza.
She spoke to AFP at her office, where an Israeli flag flies next to her son's portrait and a banner calling for his safe return.
Goldberg-Polin, 54, expressed her pain and frustration over the ongoing situation, which involves 121 hostages, including her son, being held by militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza since October 7.
The figure includes foreigners and citizens like Hersh, as well as 37 captives the army believes have died.
Since the attack, Goldberg-Polin, a former mental health professional, has stopped exercising, listening to music, or consuming sugar.
A woman named Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh is being held hostage in Gaza for nearly eight months, expressed her anguish and uncertainty to AFP. Despite political will to secure their release, she feels the government's actions are not enough.
Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-US citizen, moved to Jerusalem in 2008 and has three children with her husband.
She has turned to her Jewish faith for strength and prays for her son's safe return every day.
A mother, named Rachel, has been finding comfort from her younger daughters, aged 18 and 20, as she deals with the abduction of her older son, Hersh.
In late April, Hamas released a video of Hersh, indicating he may still be alive.
Rachel explained that Hersh had left their home on a Friday night in October to go camping after returning from a European trip.
However, without Rachel knowing, Hersh went to a music festival near the Gaza border.
As an observant Jew, Rachel usually avoids using technology on Saturdays.
On October 7, she checked her phone and found messages from Hersh saying "I love you" and "I'm sorry." The family initially believed Hersh had died, but later learned of his abduction from the Nova rave site where over 360 people were killed by militants from Gaza.
A mother named Rachel Goldberg-Polin lost her friend and saw her son, Hersh, get his left forearm torn off during a militant attack in October 2024.
Her friend, Aner Shapira, was killed while trying to protect Hersh by throwing grenades back at the militants.
Goldberg-Polin has become a well-known figure in Israel and internationally due to her efforts to secure her son's release.
She has met with notable world leaders, including Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden, and was ranked among the 100 most influential people in 2024 by Time magazine.
The attack, carried out by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 people, mostly civilians, and marked the beginning of an ongoing war.
A retaliatory campaign by Israel in Gaza, aimed at rescuing hostages and destroying Hamas, has resulted in the deaths of at least 36,224 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The speaker, Goldberg-Polin, expresses concern for the innocent civilians and shares that people she meets in Gaza recognize her and cry due to her association with the conflict.
She hopes for a day when she is recognized and greeted with smiles instead.
Goldberg-Polin, 54, expressed her pain and frustration over the ongoing situation, which involves 121 hostages, including her son, being held by militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza since October 7.
The figure includes foreigners and citizens like Hersh, as well as 37 captives the army believes have died.
Since the attack, Goldberg-Polin, a former mental health professional, has stopped exercising, listening to music, or consuming sugar.
A woman named Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh is being held hostage in Gaza for nearly eight months, expressed her anguish and uncertainty to AFP. Despite political will to secure their release, she feels the government's actions are not enough.
Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-US citizen, moved to Jerusalem in 2008 and has three children with her husband.
She has turned to her Jewish faith for strength and prays for her son's safe return every day.
A mother, named Rachel, has been finding comfort from her younger daughters, aged 18 and 20, as she deals with the abduction of her older son, Hersh.
In late April, Hamas released a video of Hersh, indicating he may still be alive.
Rachel explained that Hersh had left their home on a Friday night in October to go camping after returning from a European trip.
However, without Rachel knowing, Hersh went to a music festival near the Gaza border.
As an observant Jew, Rachel usually avoids using technology on Saturdays.
On October 7, she checked her phone and found messages from Hersh saying "I love you" and "I'm sorry." The family initially believed Hersh had died, but later learned of his abduction from the Nova rave site where over 360 people were killed by militants from Gaza.
A mother named Rachel Goldberg-Polin lost her friend and saw her son, Hersh, get his left forearm torn off during a militant attack in October 2024.
Her friend, Aner Shapira, was killed while trying to protect Hersh by throwing grenades back at the militants.
Goldberg-Polin has become a well-known figure in Israel and internationally due to her efforts to secure her son's release.
She has met with notable world leaders, including Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden, and was ranked among the 100 most influential people in 2024 by Time magazine.
The attack, carried out by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 people, mostly civilians, and marked the beginning of an ongoing war.
A retaliatory campaign by Israel in Gaza, aimed at rescuing hostages and destroying Hamas, has resulted in the deaths of at least 36,224 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The speaker, Goldberg-Polin, expresses concern for the innocent civilians and shares that people she meets in Gaza recognize her and cry due to her association with the conflict.
She hopes for a day when she is recognized and greeted with smiles instead.
Translation:
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Translated by AI
