New Yorkers mourn slain Israeli hostages in emotional columbus circle vigil

New Yorkers have gathered Sunday night in Columbus Circle for a vigil honoring six Israeli hostages whose bodies were recently recovered. The vigil, held after Israeli officials confirmed that the hostages had been killed while in Hamas captivity, drew a crowd deeply affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Among the slain were Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov, and Ori Danino. The Israeli military reported that the hostages were killed shortly before their forces arrived in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where the bodies were discovered.

The emotional weight of the evening was palpable. “My upset, my frustration, my feeling is though enough is enough,” said Allison Frank, a Manhattan resident, voicing a sentiment shared by many in attendance. The vigil became a space not only for mourning but also for expressing concern about loved ones still in Israel, as the war shows no signs of abating.

“My in-laws are all Israeli,” said Ruth Weinberger. “They live in Israel, and it’s not right what is happening. We need to show that we stand with the hostages.” Her words captured the anxiety and fear that permeated the gathering, with many attendees worried about the fate of the 101 hostages who Israeli officials believe remain in captivity.

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Rabbi David Kalb of Ohr Torah Stone addressed the crowd, his voice filled with sorrow. “I wish to God that we were not here in mourning,” he said. “I wish we were here in celebration of the release of these hostages. I wish all the hostages would come home immediately.”

The vigil was also a platform for calls for accountability and change. Allison Frank shared her hopes for the future, saying, “I do think it’s time for [Benjamin] Netanyahu to be accountable and to make some changes,” reflecting a growing frustration with the Israeli Prime Minister’s handling of the crisis.

Earlier in the day, another vigil was held, where organizers called for an end to the war. As New Yorkers gathered to mourn and reflect, their collective grief served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict.