Rachel Goldberg-Polin, a mother from Berkeley, California, faces the heart-wrenching daily routine of marking the growing number of days her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, has spent in captivity under Hamas militants. Hersh, 23, went missing on October 7 when militants abducted him along with others from a southern Israel music festival where over 300 attendees were killed. In the attack, he lost part of his arm when grenades were thrown into the shelter where a group of young people sought refuge.
Israel-Hamas War: 100 days of captivity
January 14th will signify the 100th day since Hersh and approximately 250 others were taken hostage by militants who crossed the border from Gaza, sparking the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite some releases and confirmations of hostages being dead, 132 individuals, including Hersh, remain captive, with the Red Cross denied access to them, leaving their conditions largely unknown.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, 54, has dedicated the past three months to a tireless global campaign to bring her son and the other hostages home. The Goldberg-Polin family, who moved to Israel when Hersh was 7, has engaged with world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Pope Francis, and Elon Musk. Rachel has spoken at the United Nations, participated in protests, and carried placards to draw attention to their cause.
The plight of the hostages has captured the attention of Israel, with families’ relentless efforts gaining widespread support and sympathy. This has intensified pressure on the Israeli government to make concessions for their release. The Goldberg-Polin family plans to attend a 24-hour rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv and another in Jerusalem, joined by similar events in London, New York, and Paris.
Despite these efforts, the number on Rachel’s masking tape badge, signifying the days of captivity, continues to rise. Rachel initiated this symbolic ritual on Day 26, intending to emphasize the ongoing struggle and pain that defines her life. Ahead of the 100-day milestone, she called on people worldwide to adopt her routine, fostering solidarity among families enduring the anguish of waiting for their loved ones to return.
Rachel’s masking tape badge, inspired by memories from the 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis, serves as a constant reminder of the days her son has been missing. She recognizes the discomfort associated with counting up, emphasizing the failure of humanity to secure their release. As the 100-day mark approaches, Rachel directs the world’s attention back to the hostages, expressing hope that someone is caring for her injured son. With a message to Hersh, she reassures him of the relentless efforts to bring him back: “We need you to stay strong, survive, and stay alive. And we are coming.”
(With PTI Inputs)