In a heartbreaking turn of events, Hamas operatives murdered six hostages, including one American citizen, in Gaza, according to various reports on Sunday.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American held captive by the terrorist group was confirmed dead in a statement released by his family. He had been kidnapped while attending a music festival on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, starting the current war in Gaza.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other officials issued statements on Sunday condemning the murder of Goldberg-Polin, affirming its stances against terrorism.
The vice president in a post on X announced that she met with the hostage deal negotiation team with Biden and declared that while “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,” it is “long past time for a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
Today, @POTUS and I met with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team. The murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages was a brutal, barbaric act by Hamas terrorists. As @POTUS said, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 2, 2024
It is long past time for a ceasefire and… pic.twitter.com/HCX95DWk4a
Several users pilloried Harris, arguing that such a move would only benefit the terrorist organization while not holding it accountable for the murders it has committed.
John Podhoretz, editor of Commentary, noted that “A ceasefire is a way to reward Hamas.”
A ceasefire is a way to reward Hamas, ma’am. https://t.co/4vJfuyjZsO
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) September 2, 2024
Radio talk show host Larry O’Connor chimed in, saying the United States is “led by weak, morally confused amateurs.”
"We will make Hamas pay by giving them exactly what they want as a reward for their brutal, barbaric act."
— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) September 2, 2024
We are led by weak, morally confused amateurs. https://t.co/KYlEk4kl7t
Former Midland, TX, city council candidate Ross Schumann castigated the vice president for waiting “for the American citizen to die to get involved.”
So you waited for the American citizen to die to get involved.
— Ross Schumann (@RossSchumann) September 2, 2024
It’s almost been a year since they were taken hostage, but happy to see you jumped right on it…
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) criticized the Biden/Harris administration for its “watered down, meaningless talk.”
If an American is taken, there should be only one response: that an American is coming to get them.
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) September 2, 2024
Instead, all we get from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is watered down, meaningless talk.
Harris had also been criticized shortly after the news of Goldberg-Polin’s death was announced for her lack of an immediate response.
Harris response was predictable. Even when an American citizen is murdered by terrorists, she and her ilk are still expected to take the “ceasefire” line despite the effect it could have on other hostages being held by Hamas.
The vice president was likely trying to appear forceful in her condemnation of the murders while not upsetting members of the anti-Israel crowd who have been essentially advocating for Israel to surrender in its efforts to eliminate the terrorist group. However, it appears Harris has once again failed to read the room on this situation. When an American citizen is viciously murdered by a terrorist organization, it is not the time to call for Israel to stop fighting the enemy.
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