Parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin Tell of Tears, Hope

Stand for Israel  |  April 25, 2024

When Yael interviewed Rachel Goldberg on Nourish Your Biblical Roots (listen here), this Israeli mother had no idea if her son was alive or lost forever.

But a recently distributed propaganda video by Hamas featured her son. Now both Rachel and her husband, Jon, are all the more determined to fight for their son’s release.

This video, while painful to watch, is at least some small glimmer of hope that their son is still alive, reports The Times of Israel:

“Until yesterday, we didn’t know he was alive,” Polin told Kan. “We hoped he was, but we didn’t know.”

“We’ve been working to bring Hersh home for 200 days, and after yesterday, we feel even more strongly that we can’t stop now, we have to continue,” he said…

“It’s not clear who wrote what he said,” Polin said, acknowledging the high likelihood that Hersh was reading from a script written by his captors. “The part I’m focusing on is the last part, when even if he read it off a page, he spoke directly to me and Rachel, to our daughters Libby and Orly.”

Polin said he has concerns for Hersh’s health based on how he looked in the video, noting that he looked “swollen,” but said his son spoke in a clear, strong voice, which he felt was important.

Hundreds of hostages are still being held by Hamas, while loved ones, like Rachel and Jon, pray for their safe return. Please join us in prayers for all the hostages to come home soon.