‘I Just Started to Weep’: Parent of Hamas Hostage Recalls Support From DNC Crowd After Told To Expect ‘Negative’ Reception

Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin , the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, joined CNN’s Jim Acosta Thursday to discuss their speech at the Democratic National Convention the night before.

“We are back with our continuing coverage of the Democratic National Convention. The big finale is just hours away. So far, one of the most moving moments of the DNC unfolded last night. It was not the stirring speech of a gifted politician, but the heartbroken words of this man’s parents, 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin is an Israeli American hostage held by Hamas,” began Acosta.

“He is one of eight Americans still held nearly 11 months. That’s right, 11 months after the terror attacks on Israel, last night they took to the stage wearing the number 320 for the number of days he’s been held prisoner,” Acosta said before showing a clip of Jon Polin from the night before.

“In an inflamed Middle East. We know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region. A deal that brings this diverse group of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza,” Polin said as the crowd began chanting, “Bring them home!”

“Such an incredible moment. And Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin join me now. Rachel, we should note you’re both wearing 321. You were wearing 320 last night, so now 321,” Acosta said.

“We change it every day,” said Goldberg.

“Yeah. And what did that moment mean to you?” Acosta asked.

“Last night I was so shocked and overwhelmed because we had been told to anticipate and neutral to negative reception. Yeah. And when we walked out and suddenly there were thousands of people who got to their feet and started to chant, ‘Bring them home.’ We were just swelled with support and it was overwhelming, and I just started to weep,” Goldberg said.

Acosta replied, “Yeah, I think a lot of people were. John, how did that, how did that, resonate with you seeing that? I mean, because I know this week what we’ve been hearing is obviously there are protests here. There’s a lot of deep opposition to the war in Gaza. But they’re still in the hearts of a lot of folks in this country just pain and agony for what you’re going through.”

Polin added, “It’s so easy to politicize everything. And that’s the danger and that’s what’s been happening. But it was heartening last night to see that even before we spoke a word, I think people understood that there’s a human side to this story. It’s not just an issue. It’s not just numbers and ambiguity. These are 109 real human beings with loved ones, with families waiting for them, their innocents on all sides in the Middle East conflict who are suffering. And I think the people in the room understood that last night. Yeah, that was what was so important.”
“And you’ve emphasized the diversity of the hostages,” noted Acosta.

“Right. Well, I think that there’s a real misunderstanding of who this hostage cohort is that this is a monolithic group of people,” Gold replied, adding :

And as I mentioned last night, they are from 23 different countries. They are Christian, they are Jewish, they’re Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists. And this is something that gets lost when someone has a very specific reason to create a narrative a certain way. And we all so very much are constantly saying we are extremely concerned and heartbroken for the innocent civilians in Gaza and the innocent civilians in Gaza who were dragged there on October 7th. You don’t have to choose one or the other. This is a humanitarian issue.

Watch the full clip above via CNN.