Sick anti-Israel protester in NYC says Hersh Goldberg-Polin 'deserved' to be murdered by Hamas

A pro-Palestinian protester told a Jewish family walking home in New York City that Hersh Goldberg-Polin 'deserved' to die.

The 23-year-old American man was kidnapped during the October 7 atrocity and was one of six hostages found dead this week.

On the same day that his devastated family held a funeral for Hersh in Jerusalum, a pro-Palestine rally was held in the streets of New York.

A Jewish father walking home with his family approached a BMW with Palestinian flags attached, telling the couple in the car: 'An American man was murdered yesterday by Hamas terrorists.'

To his shock and dismay, the motorist behind the wheel responded without hesitation: 'He deserved it.'

A Jewish father walking home with his family approached a BMW with Palestinian flags attached, telling the couple in the car: 'An American man was murdered yesterday by Hamas terrorists.' To his shock and dismay, the motorist behind the wheel responded without hesitation: 'He deserved it'

The 23-year-old American man was kidnapped during the October 7 atrocity and was one of six hostages found dead this week 

The father, identified as Park Avenue plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky repeated those three words back to the driver, posed as a question

The father, identified as Park Avenue plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky repeated those three words back to the driver, posed as a question.

'Sure,' the driver said. 'What business does he have over there?'

Savetsky noted Hersh was simply enjoying himself at a music festival when he was kidnapped, to which the driver responded: 'Israel killed him. Not Hamas.'

'Hamas released the video themselves. They're proud. You're supporting terrorists like that?'

The motorist responded: 'I am. I am' before driving off.

Savetsky noted Hersh was simply enjoying himself at a music festival when he was kidnapped, to which the driver responded: 'Israel killed him. Not Hamas'

Some 5,694 miles away in Jerusalem, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin were joined by thousands of mourners to pay tribute to their late son 

Jonathan Polin (R), father of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, speaks during the funeral in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024

Rachel Goldberg-Polin delivered a heart-wrenching eulogy in front of thousands of mourners at her son's Jerusalem funeral

Savetsky's wife Lizzy has since shared video of the exchange, revealing she was left 'shaking' after the encounter.

'We were walking home from lunch with our family in our completely distraught state and we were blocked from crossing the street by these soulless terror supporters chanting for MORE violence,' she said.

'We're livid by this complete lack of humanity - especially today - and we couldn't hide it.'

White House communications spokesman Andrew Bates said President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn Hamas and 'any individual associating with the repugnant terrorist organization.'

'As President Biden and Vice President Harris have said, there is absolutely no place in America for the poison of antisemitism – none. 

They and the entire Biden-Harris Administration condemn any individual associating with the repugnant terrorist organization Hamas.' 

White House communications spokesman Andrew Bates said President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn Hamas and 'any individual associating with the repugnant terrorist organization'

That statement came amidst pictures and videos taken during the NYC protest which showed people walking the streets waving the Hamas flag

That statement came amidst pictures and videos taken during the NYC protest which showed people walking the streets waving the Hamas flag.  

Some 5,694 miles away in Jerusalem, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin were joined by thousands of mourners to pay tribute to their late son.

Goldberg-Polin, crying as she addressed the sea of mourners, shared how Hersh was 'no longer in danger', but added: 'My worry shifts to us, how do we live without you? I pray your death is a turning point in this horrible situation we're all entangled.'

Hersh's heartbroken father, who also addressed the crowd, spoke directly to his late son, saying: 'Hersh, we failed you. We all failed you. You would not have failed you. You would have pushed harder for justice.'

Polin said that Hersh would want to ensure that his death, the deaths of soldiers, and 'the deaths of so many innocent civilians are not in vain' and would push for an 'end the ongoing cycles of violence'.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Hersh clearly speaking under duress (pictured) sparked protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others' freedom

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Hersh clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others' freedom. 

Back in New York, Savetsky and his wife were left questioning 'do we even have a future here?' amid the ongoing rallies supporting Palestine.

'Our kids are devastated to see this happening in their own backyard. What has become of this city?

'This is truly an alternate universe.'

The body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, (pictured) was recovered from Gaza on Saturday

Thousands of demonstrators supporting the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest rally outside the Kyria military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Sunday

The couple's young daughter Juliet, who was seen crying in the clip shared by her mom, made her own video later talking about how scared she was during the interaction.

'I wanted to show you guys how scared they made me. They're just screaming and saying they want to kill us and hurt us and they're telling lies, and I hope for peace in this world and that all the hostages come home.'

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are taking place around the world as the conflict between Hamas and Israel enters an 11th month.

Global governments have been pleading for negotiations to take place which would see the remaining hostages returned to their loved ones and an end to the ground invasion of Gaza.

Following Hersh's death, President Joe Biden was asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal which would allow the remaining hostages to go free.

'No,' he answered.