Chants of “Bring her home” erupted from the crowd, some shed tears, and tens of thousands of attendees stood and listened throughout Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The couple, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, spoke for nine minutes on behalf of the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including their son. In the assembly’s most extensive addresses yet on Israel and Gaza, they stressed that American citizens remain in captivity and said their release must be a cause that transcends partisan lines.

“This is a political congress, but the fact that we need to bring our only son and all our beloved hostages home is not a political issue,” Jon Polin said to applause. “It is a humanitarian issue.”

The couple are among the world’s most prominent advocates for the release of the hostages. Both stood on the podium wearing the number “320” on a strip of tape, symbolizing the number of days their son has been held hostage. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, who spoke first, described the nationalities and ages of the more than 100 hostages in Gaza and told the story of her son’s capture on October 7 at the Nova music festival, where part of his arm was torn off.

“He was put in a pickup truck and taken from his life, along with me and Jon, to Gaza. And that was 320 days ago,” she said, her voice breaking. “We have been living on a different planet ever since. Anyone who is a parent or has ever been a parent can imagine the torment and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families have to endure.”

The convention was marked by discord and demonstrations over the war between Israel and Hamas, and the conflict is one of the issues that most divides Democrats. At a convention that is supposed to project unity, the war was mentioned relatively rarely and briefly, and there were brief moments of protest in the convention hall.

Shortly before the couple took the podium, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a speech that Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the party’s candidates, “say we need a ceasefire and an end to the loss of innocent life in Gaza. We also need to bring the hostages home.” Jewish Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida wore a yellow ribbon to show her support for the hostages.

Until shortly before the main program began Wednesday night, it was unclear whether the hostages’ families would be represented on stage, and pro-Palestinian activists demanded that their feelings be represented as well. Activists offered a local Illinois state representative who is Palestinian American and a doctor who has treated some of the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed or wounded in Israel’s attacks at a news conference on Wednesday.

“Is there room in this party for Palestinian Americans?” asked Abbas Alawieh, a founder of the pro-Palestinian movement Uncommitted, which held the press conference, and a delegate from Michigan. “Is there room in this party for people who believe in the humanity of Palestinian Americans and in the human rights of Palestinians? I really hope the answer is yes.”

There was no sign of that controversy in the Goldberg-Polins’ speech Wednesday night. Another hostage family, the parents of Omer Neutra, also received a positive reception when they spoke at the Republican National Convention last month.

The couple were introduced by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, an outspoken supporter of Israel, who was in the country on October 7. He said he was “honoured” to introduce the two, adding: “Rachel and Jon want what every parent wants: to hold their child, love them and keep them safe.”

Both called for a deal to release the hostages and agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, drawing loud applause. Their appearance came as negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a deal have stalled again, as they have in successive rounds of talks in recent months. They said both Republicans and Democrats had tried to help them and thanked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s nominee, for their “tireless” work toward a deal.

“There are no winners in a contest of pain,” said Jon Polin. “In a heated Middle East, we know what can most quickly relieve the pressure and calm the entire region: a deal that brings this diverse group of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza. Now is the time.”

As the couple took the stage, the crowd fell silent. Delegates rose to their feet, including those scattered around wearing Palestinian scarves in solidarity with the Palestinians. A man wearing a Harris-Walz Hebrew button began to chant “Bring them home,” and soon the entire room was joining in.

Like most in attendance, Susan Sheu, 55, a delegate from California, remained standing during the couple’s conversation. She is a co-author of her state party’s ceasefire resolution and said she could not imagine the agony of a mother missing her child.

“It was a stark reminder that many others did not move on with their lives while I did,” said Sheu, who converted to Judaism 25 years ago.

Her friend, sitting next to her, Will McConnell, 32, said he was impressed by the parents’ strength. “It was so impressive to see this family, who are going through so much, also publicly and with such strength, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the suffering of Gaza residents,” he said.

In front of perhaps the largest audience she has ever seen on television and in the Congressional Hall, Rachel Goldberg-Polin concluded her speech with a message to her son.

“Hersh, Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you,” she said. “Stay strong. Survive.”