WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in separate calls Sunday talked with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the couple with Chicago roots whose son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was held hostage in Gaza and was found slain by Hamas on Saturday.
The White House said Sunday in a statement, “This morning, President Biden spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, to offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas.”
Both Biden and Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, have met with Goldberg-Polin’s parents, and in statements released Saturday night denounced Hamas for the killing of their son.
On X, Harris posted that she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff “just spoke to Jon and Rachel, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents, to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists. My heart breaks for their pain and anguish. I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our nation mourns with them.”
Doug and I just spoke to Jon and Rachel, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents, to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists. My heart breaks for their pain and anguish.
I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 1, 2024
Israeli soldiers found the bodies of six hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, 23, taken Oct. 7, in an underground tunnel in Gaza. An Israeli military spokesperson told CNN on Sunday the slayings by Hamas took place “recently,” with the bodies found on Saturday.
Goldberg-Polin’s parents have been among the highest-profile relatives of the hostages, as they have lobbied extensively for the release of all the hostages. They spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 21, saying, “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”
Polin grew up in West Rogers Park and Skokie. Goldberg was raised in Streeterville. Her mother lives near Navy Pier, and Polin’s mom lives in Evanston. The family now lives in Jerusalem.
Illinois officials have spent the months since Oct. 7 focusing on seeking the release of the U.S.-Israeli hostage.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement, “My heart is broken by this gut-wrenching news. My deepest condolences are with Hersh’s family and friends, including those throughout the Chicagoland area, and his parents, Rachel and Jon, who have been staunch advocates for the hostages and their families — their bravery, strength and steadfast love for their son has been awe-inspiring.
“The capture and subsequent killing of hostages by Hamas is unconscionable and unacceptable. Full stop. It is imperative for a permanent cease-fire to be negotiated and upheld by all parties that releases the remaining hostages, and I will keep doing everything I can to push for a deal.”
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., whose district includes Evanston and Skokie, said in a statement, “In the days since the horrific attack on Israel on October 7th, I have gotten to know Hersh’s family. His parents, Jon and Rachel, are from Chicago. His grandmother and aunt are residents of the 9th Congressional District. In the face of uncertainty and tragedy, Hersh’s family has displayed great strength. They have endlessly stepped forward in order to make their voices heard, tell Hersh’s story, and advocate for the safe return of every hostage. My heart breaks for them.”
Addressing the impasse over a cease-fire, Schakowsky said, “The human cost of this war is staggering, and it must end now. Hersh was slated for release in the framework that Israel and Hamas agreed to in early July. It is unconscionable that Israeli and Hamas leadership have delayed a final deal for so long. We must bring all the remaining hostages home immediately and end the violence once and for all.”
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement he was “heartbroken” and: “A cease-fire must be reached immediately that allows all remaining hostages to be released, humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and an elusive and neglected long-term vision for peace and stability to become a reality.”
Harris, in her statement said, “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas’ depravity is evident and horrifying. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
Said Biden, “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”