TIME names hostage’s mother of one of 100 most influential people in the world

TIME has named Rachel Goldberg-Polin to the 2024 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Rachel’s son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was taken hostage by Hamas into Gaza on October 7th, where he, along with 132 others, remains held in captivity.

Rachel’s inclusion on the TIME100 list is in recognition of the impact she and her husband Jon Polin, along with hundreds of other families of hostages taken by Hamas, and millions of people around the world, have had in raising global awareness of the hostage crisis and their unwavering efforts to continue to fight for the release of Hersh and every hostage.

“I want to thank TIME for my inclusion on the TIME100 and for recognizing the significance and gravity of the hostage crisis and the need for the world to advocate on their behalf until each one is returned home,” said Rachel Goldberg-Polin.

“I pray this platform will help compel the world not to forsake these remaining 133 souls, who hail from 25 countries, 5 religions and range in age from 15 months to 86 years old, and who have now been held captive in Gaza for 194 days. We must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of these human beings, along with the suffering of all innocents in Gaza,” she added.