Murdered in Cold Blood
Heartbreaking Tribute: Hundreds Honor Hersh Goldberg-Polin at Jerusalem Ceremony
A memorial event marks a year since the tragic deaths of hostages in Rafah, with hundreds honoring one victim and sharing personal tributes. The gathering reflects a community’s grief and resilience amid ongoing regional tensions.
A somber anniversary marks one year since the brutal murder of six hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Uri Danino, Almog Sarussi, Carmel Gat, and Alex Lobanov, in a Rafah tunnel, drawing hundreds to a poignant memorial in Jerusalem on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Held at Mount Masada, the event commemorated Goldberg-Polin, who was abducted from the Nova music festival, and survived ten months in captivity, only to be murdered alongside his fellow hostages by their captors. Among the attendees were former IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari, families of former captives, and other hostage relatives, reflecting a community united in grief and remembrance.
Hersh’s father, Jon, shared a touching encounter during the memorial: “Recently, a man stopped me on the street and said, ‘Father of Hersh, can I show you something?’ He then showed me a photo on his phone and said, ‘Hersh reminds me every day what I can do to be a better person.’ Hersh, what a wonderful legacy you’ve created.” His mother, Rachel, offered an emotional tribute: “Sometimes I close my eyes and know you’re here inside, even though I can’t see you with the eyes that were mine, eyes as vast as the ocean.” His sister, Orli, struggled with the passage of time: “A year has passed. A year where I no longer know how to address you. The hardest part is speaking of the obvious, you were always my big brother, so natural. You did things that annoyed me, but you were just there, easy to love. You were always my brother and always will be, only now you belong to everyone, and I think that also brings me joy because everyone needs a Hersh in their life.”
Friend Yinav Netzer eulogized, “How can I even capture your beautiful soul in words? Hirsch was a sharp, hilarious prankster, tact wasn’t his forte, a dangerous mix, but he had amazing sensitivity, seeing and valuing every person.” This memorial, set against the backdrop of the October 7, 2023, attack and ongoing war in Gaza, underscores a collective call for justice and healing.