Farewell to Hersh Goldberg-Polin: Mourning a Symbol of Captivity

Thousands in Jerusalem mourned Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the American-Israeli hostages killed by Hamas militants. His death, along with five others, has sparked protests across Israel. Goldberg-Polin, who lost his arm during a Hamas attack, was widely seen as a symbol of the hostages’ plight, igniting a wave of public grief and demands for action.

Thousands of mourners filled the streets of Jerusalem on Monday to mourn slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the most recognized faces among those captured by Hamas gunmen in the Oct. 7 attack. His body, along with five other hostages, was recovered by Israeli troops on Sunday, leading to widespread grief and anger among Israelis struck by one of the country's deadliest assaults in history.

'I feel he was like a symbol of the hostages,' said Amnon Sadovsky, a 70-year-old teacher. 'We need humanity for all people - for Jews and for Arabs.' Goldberg-Polin, 23, who emigrated from California to Israel at age seven, was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants launched their attack, killing 1,200 and seizing 253 hostages according to Israeli figures.

Footage showed Hamas militants surrounding a bomb shelter where Goldberg-Polin was hiding and throwing grenades. He lost the lower part of his left arm during the attack. Video later showed him with other hostages on a pickup van, his injury clearly visible. He was last seen alive in a Hamas video in April, addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An autopsy revealed he and the other hostages were shot at close range shortly before their bodies were recovered.

In a Jerusalem neighborhood near his family's home, banners bearing his smiling image with the message 'Free Hersh' dotted the streets. His death, after nearly 11 months in captivity, sparked protests, with 500,000 demonstrating in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Protests continued Monday with a general strike urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to bring the remaining hostages home.

Talks to end fighting in Gaza, where Israel's campaign against Hamas has devastated the Gaza Strip and killed over 40,000 according to Palestinian figures, have stalled. Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, raised awareness of the hostages' plight, meeting officials including U.S. President Joe Biden.

At the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, Hersh's mother urged him to 'stay strong, stay alive.' Addressing mourners at the funeral, Rachel Goldberg-Polin said Hersh 'promoted justice and peace,' detailing her agony of not knowing his condition for more than 330 days. 'Okay my sweet boy, go now on your journey,' she said. 'Finally you're free.' Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed sorrow that Israel 'didn't protect Hersh on that dark day.' In his death, Hersh has touched all of humanity.

On Saturday, before news of his death spread, Hapoel Jerusalem players wore black shirts with Hersh's image at their season's first match. 'I've been hoping and imagining Hersh coming back,' said family friend Nadia Levene. 'Rachel and Jon showed remarkable strength in their efforts to save their son,' Levene added. (Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell, Editing by Christina Fincher and Deepa Babington)

(With inputs from agencies.)