By Shira Kramer, Managing Editor
Shabbat observant Jews have grown accustomed to checking their phones for news emerging from Israel immediately after Shabbat each painful week following October 7. August 31 was no different. We turned our phones on, breathing a sigh of relief knowing that there were no extreme events to report about. The news came hours later at around 11:30 pm. Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino. All executed by Hamas just days before the IDF could rescue them.
Generally, when news like this comes out, the Israeli government first notifies the family members of the deceased out of respect. However, the worst and best thing about social media is that news spreads as fast as the speed of light. Hours before the IDF was even able to officially announce the names of the hostages killed in Rafah, rumors began circulating online about their identities. In order to stop the rumors, the IDF announced that bodies were found, leaving out the number and any identifying features about them. Yet, Liel Avraham, Ori Danino’s girlfriend, told the Israeli media that she found out about his death through social media.
While the murder of all six hostages pushed me deeper into sadness, Hersh’s death was different. Over the last 11 months, he was my hope. As a fellow American, I felt a special connection to him more than the other hostages. We visited the same places, knew some of the same people and spoke the same language. His parents were influential in the attention given to the hostages here in America. Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin traveled everywhere, spoke at every rally, went on every news channel, and even spoke at the Democratic National Convention. It felt like every time I turned on the TV, their faces appeared, further strengthening our connection.
Hersh became my inspiration, my breath in times of struggle. Every time I heard something new about the hostage situation, I felt like I understood Hersh more and more. When the news of his murder came out, I was crushed. I’m embarrassed to say that it was the first time I cried over this war. Subsequently, I can barely open Instagram without tearing up.
When I think about Hersh, I not only become sad. I feel angry. I’m angry at the United States government for not doing more to stand up for Israel. I’m angry at the Israeli government for caring more about other goals like maintaining a presence in the Philadelphi Corridor than their own people in captivity. I’m angry at the idiotic college students who amplify terrorism.
If the American government is not going to firmly stand with Israel, the least it can do is fight for its own citizens. They let Hersh die. His blood is on the hands of all who sat down in Capitol Hill while he fought for his life in a tunnel in Gaza.
After Hersh’s murder was announced, President Biden published a statement on Hersh’s death expressing his condolences. However, after saying how “devastated and outraged” he felt, Biden found a way to insert himself into the message.
“I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death,” Biden said. “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.”
Calling for a ceasefire will not put an end to this war. Worrying about the naive college students in America who just want a cause to fight for, a trend to follow, and a community to fit in with is a waste of time. While the United States cannot fully be held responsible for this war, as a major ally to Israel, it should be held properly accountable.
The Biden administration is so worried about going against the liberal grain that they are abandoning one of their strongest allies. Set aside Whatsapp and Waze, Israel more importantly has given the United States defense technology and agricultural advances that help the country succeed daily.
Many people around the world are accusing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of all kinds of crazy offenses. While I do not think that he is prolonging the war for his own political gain, I believe the lack of support from President Biden is affecting Netanyahu’s success. Because of the international turmoil, Netanyahu isn’t able to perform his best, which as a result, affects people’s lives.
Yet, when politicians are in power for too long, it is easy for them to forget why they entered the profession in the first place. Netanyahu must also remember to put Israeli lives above all else or else the hostages will never come home.
It’s been a few weeks since Hersh’s body was found, and I am still in disbelief that he will never come home to his family, hug his mother again, or fulfill any more of his goals. This all feels like a nightmare.
At his funeral, Hersh’s father spoke beautifully about his son’s life and personality. As Jon remarked on the world’s shortcomings, he said, “Hersh, we failed you. You would not have failed you.”
Hersh’s mother’s eulogy touched thousands of hearts far and wide. After 332 days, the world had to say goodbye to Hersh. I, like many others, was not ready. While he is finally at peace instead of in captivity, I was still holding out hope that he would come back to Rachel, and asking myself if we would ever wake up from this horrible nightmare.
As Rachel thanked G-d for bringing Hersh back to her, I felt her agonizing screams serve as the wakeup call we all need. Just because these six hostages are gone doesn’t mean we can give up on the over 100 still in Gaza. Hersh may be “finally free” as his mother so powerfully said, but none of us will be free until every single hostage is brought home immediately.
Photo Caption: Posters of Hersh Goldberg-Polin at a rally at CNN headquarters
Photo Credit: Chloe Baker