NORFOLK, Va. — Alan Ronkin is the Regional Director for the American Jewish Committee. He calls the deaths of the six hostages in Gaza tragedy and that something needs to be done.
“It's a tragedy for all of us. As you know, the hostages are a humanitarian issue," Ronkin said.
Early Sunday morning, the Israel Defense Forces posted on social media that they had found and recovered the bodies of six hostages that were taken on October 7, 2023. The IDF claimed that six people were killed by Hamas militants in Gaza. They recovered the bodies just before soldiers could reach them.
Hamas has not taken responsibility for their deaths. But the news brings more sorrow and pain to the Jewish community.
One of the bodies recovered was 23-year-old- Israeli American Hersh Golberg-Polin. Ronkin says every American should mourn the loss of life.
“This terrible loss of a 23-year-old man whose only crime was going to a music festival and trying to have a pleasant evening with his friends,” Ronkin said.
On Sunday, protests broke out across Israel, with many of the demonstrations criticizing Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the country’s handling of the hostage crisis. Golberg-Polin's family spoke about the issue at the Democratic National Convention last month.
Ronkin feels Netanyahu is in a “tough spot.” He says a hostage deal and security for the future state of Israel need to happen.
”Let's not make finalizing this deal a choice between visual security and prostitutes. We urge them to seize this opportunity to bring the hostages home now,” Ronkin said.
President Joe Biden posted on social media early Sunday that he is heartbroken and working tirelessly to bring Hersh home.