'Where are you?': Rachel Goldberg-Polin cries out for hostage deal at Tel Aviv rally

Bereaved hostage family members spoke at Tel Aviv Hostage Square on Thursday evening, demanding a hostage deal following the recovery of Youssef al-Ziyadne's body from Hamas captivity in Gaza on Wednesday. 

Among those speaking were Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, the mother and father of former hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in Hamas captivity back in late August along with five other hostages. 

"We are the parents of Hersh," Jon began, going on to recount the ongoing battle to bring back the hostages and the unfruitful attempts to reach a hostage deal.  "We fought for their return."

"The price for the hostages will not go down," he added. 

Following Jon's statements, Rachel began by stating, "We, all of us standing up here, are the members of a cohort of loss and bereavement. We do not want any more people to join our community of agony and pain. And yet, tragically, just yesterday, the al Ziyadneh family joined us."

"We implore all world leaders to make a deal and bring home ALL 99 remaining hostages, now. They represent 23 nations and are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus."

"I will end by asking our leaders the first question posed by God in the Bible in Genesis to man, WHERE. ARE. YOU?" she asked.

Alon Gat, brother of the late Carmel Gat, who was held in Hamas captivity with Hersh until their murder, also spoke at the event.  

The hostages 'undergo a Holocaust' 

He was followed by Meirav Svirsky, sister of the late Itay Svirsky and daughter of Rafi and Orit Svirsky. Rafi and Orit were killed on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led cross-border attacks in southern Israel.

"The military pressure is killing them. Months ago, we declared that the only way to bring them home was with a hostage deal. Sign the deal before it is too late for everyone. What are you waiting for? The hostages are undergoing a Holocaust there," she declared.