After months of agonizing anticipation, the families of Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza wept as they laid their loved ones to rest on Sunday. The funerals were marked by heartfelt eulogies, interspersed with expressions of frustration toward Israel’s government. The discovery of the remains of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt Ori Danino on Saturday sparked a wave of anger and rage among hostage families who blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for prioritizing a military victory over a deal to free their loved ones. Thousands of people turned out en masse for rallies and candlelight vigils nationwide.
The sad events were punctuated by cries of “death to the murderers” and calls for a national strike, as Israel’s largest labor union threatened to shut down the entire economy Monday. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an organization of relatives of the victims, called for Netanyahu to resign.
Hours after the army announced that the six had been found, Netanyahu issued a prerecorded statement in which he blamed Hamas and said he was not able to agree to a prisoner-for-peace deal because the terror group refused to surrender weapons. He also said that he would continue to fight until all of the captives were brought home.
- Latest News: Typhoon Shanshan Wreaks Havoc on Japan
The families of the dead, including the parents of Berkeley native Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who led a fierce international campaign to secure his release, openly scorned Netanyahu. They have met with top US officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, and have pressed Israel’s far-right leadership to make the freeing of their son a priority.
“We thought that he was still alive,” says Avivit Goldberg, Chanan’s sister, who played for the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer team and had two young children. “Now it’s clear they didn’t give him a chance.”
Hersh’s parents, Rachel and Jonathan Goldberg were also present as their son was laid to rest near Kibbutz Nirim, where the family lived. The couple, who immigrated to Israel from the United States, had hung banners and murals demanding Hersh’s return home and regularly met with top Israeli and American officials to press for his release.
The funeral of Sarusi’s wife, Rimon Kirsht Buchshtab, also drew a crowd of mourners. During her eulogy, she spoke of how the father of three wanted to bring his family together and hoped for peace. She added that he was the man who always tried to do the right thing. “I just wish it could have been different,” she said. “My husband deserved so much better.” The family also held a shiva in their home. They remained close to the other relatives of the dead, relying on their support and love. The relatives buried their children on the same day so that they could be buried with their mother and grandmother. They say the tumultuous war in Gaza is nothing compared to what their beloved sons experienced.
