From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin reportedly set to address DNC tonight
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
CHICAGO — The parents of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin will reportedly address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago tonight.
A spokesperson for the family declines to confirm a report in the Forward revealing the planned speech from Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin.
The pair have become among the most recognizable relatives of any of the 105 hostages, particularly in the US where they have regularly engaged with high-profile stakeholders to raise awareness of the plight of their son and the other 104 hostages still held in Gaza.
Several relatives of the eight American hostages are at the DNC this week, meeting with top Democrats and holding quiet conversations with organizers to try and secure a primetime speaking slot at the United Center.
Organizers are also facing pressure from pro-Palestinian activists to offer a similar speaking slot to one of the several doctors at the convention who recently returned from treating patients in war-torn Gaza who can offer a firsthand account of the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.
The parents of American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra addressed the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.
