SCHNEIDER STATEMENT ON HAMAS PROPAGANDA VIDEO OF HERSH GOLDBERG-POLIN

WASHINGTON — Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in response to a propaganda video released today by Hamas of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin:

“For 201 days, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s family have not known if their son is alive or dead. The last image they had of Hersh was from October 7th when their son was seen being thrown into the back of a Hamas truck, his left arm blown off by a Hamas grenade. Finally, after 201 days Hamas released a propaganda video showing Hersh.

Hersh is a 23-year-old American citizen. On October 6, he had a holiday dinner with his family in Israel and left to attend the Nova Music Festival. Instead of enjoying a normal concert with hundreds of other young people, he was violently abducted by Hamas. We now know that for 201 days now, he has been held captive.

We are all relieved that Hersh is alive. We (the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and all people of good will) must do all we can to bring Hersh, and every one of the 132 remaining hostages home now.

And we must always remember – Hamas did this. Hamas killed more than 1,200 people on October 7. Hamas continues to hold more than 130 people hostage in their terror tunnels. And Hamas continues to decline a deal that would release hostages, pause fighting and allow for aid to flow to civilians in Palestine who desperately need it.”

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