RICHMOND, Va — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced an order for all United States flags to be flown at half-staff on September 3 in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was one of several individuals wounded and abducted by Hamas during the Re’im music festival massacre on October 7, 2023.
Since then, international news reporters occasionally provided possible Goldberg-Polin sightings. Often included were hopeful but somber interviews with his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg.
After being held hostage for almost 11 months, the body of Goldberg-Polin was recovered from Rafah in the Gaza Strip on August 31.
On September 1, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued this statement:
“After 330 agonizing days since the brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th that left more than 1,200 dead and hundreds more held hostage, Johnathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg woke up to unimaginable news that no parent should ever receive.
Suzanne and I are angered and heartbroken by the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a senseless murder at the hands of terrorists. Today, Virginians, Americans, and the world join the Goldberg-Polin family and the Keneseth Beth Israel Synagogue in prayer.”