WASHINGTON — Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed profound grief following the execution of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. This tragic event has garnered significant attention and stirred emotions within the Jewish community and beyond.
During a vigil held at a synagogue in Washington, Emhoff shared his heartfelt sentiments, stating, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Hersh and his parents, or about the five others and their families.” He described his emotions, saying, “This is hard. I feel raw. I’m gutted.”
As a prominent advocate for the Jewish community and countering antisemitism, Emhoff’s voice has gained prominence since the recent escalation of violence, including the October 7 attack by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, including at least 40 Americans, and around 250 hostages being taken.
At the event organized by local and national Jewish groups, Emhoff connected with attendees, assuring them, “How you feel right now is how I feel. And how we all feel is something Kamala hears directly from me.”
He remarked on the personal impact of Hersh’s loss, stating, “We’re both grieving.” Emhoff poignantly recounted a conversation with Goldberg-Polin’s parents, who, despite their devastating loss, were inquiring about ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of other hostages.
“Part of Rachel and Jon’s world had just ended, and they somehow are still looking forward and looking out for others,” he noted, highlighting the resilience of the families affected.
Emhoff emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Not until every hostage is reunited with their family.” He assured the community that both Harris and President Biden are tirelessly working to facilitate a hostage and cease-fire agreement, declaring, “The time to bring them home is now.”
Goldberg-Polin and his family have been active in raising awareness about the hostages’ plight, recently speaking at a significant national event. Emhoff affirmed the importance of sharing these stories, stating, “Unless we tell the story again and again, we have no hope of ‘never again.’ The Jewish community must continue to tell the stories of the hostages.”
