September 1, 2024
This morning, we awoke to the devastating news that six hostages had been found dead in Gaza. One of them was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a member of a Habonim Dror family. We are heartbroken over this tragic and senseless murder.
With a hostage deal and bilateral ceasefire, these six hostages could have been saved. To quote Hersh’s father, Jon Polin, “there is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict in the Middle East. In a competition of pain, there are no winners. In our Jewish tradition, we say ‘kol adam olam kulo:’ every person is an entire universe. We must save all these universes.” Habonim Dror North America stands in solidarity with the protesters in Israel and around the world and with the Histadrut’s general strike. A ceasefire and hostage release deal is necessary to save all the universes we still can, for all of the innocents in Israel and Gaza.
Our thoughts are with Hersh’s family as we hold them in our heart and wish them strength and comfort. May we all strive for a future where the cycle of violence is finally broken and we are all collectively liberated. May their memories be a blessing.