Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, spoke at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday. Freeing hostages “is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” Jon Polin said, adding that “in a competition of pain there are no winners.” They were among the family members of six American hostages in attendance in Chicago to raise awareness about their family members’ plight. Polin and Goldberg-Polin, wearing a notation that it’s been 320 days since their son was taken captive, received a standing ovation from conventiongoers, who chanted “Bring them home.” While the Polins spoke, the camera cut to the various people in the room who were shedding tears for the parents. It comes after Ronen and Orna Neutra, the parents of Omer Neutra, were given a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention last month.