Leah Goldin: My son fell in battle, I am fighting for nation’s ethos

On the eve of Memorial Day, Goldin released a video saying others have a grave to visit while she “remains a captive.”

By HAGAY HACOHEN
Leah Goldin, mother of missing soldier Hadar Goldin, at a Jerusalem press confrence July 5, 2018 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Leah Goldin, mother of missing soldier Hadar Goldin, at a Jerusalem press confrence July 5, 2018
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Leah Goldin, the mother of Hadar Goldin who was killed and kidnapped by Hamas in combat during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, released a video on Tuesday ahead of Memorial Day. 
 

Noting that other Israelis who lost family members and loved ones in combat have a grave to visit on this day, Goldin said that she doesn’t and so “I will remain in captivity.” 

 
“Hadar is a fallen IDF soldier, not a body,” she said, “he is held captive, and not missing in action.” 
 
Hamas is keeping the remains of Hadar hoping to obtain the release of Hamas members currently in Israeli prisons, or other concessions from Israel. 
 
“This is not a personal struggle [of the Goldin family],” the bereaved mother said. “This is a fight for the national Ethos. We bring back our soldiers from the battle field no matter their condition.” 
In an interview with KAN, Goldin said that "nobody can count how much money Israel passed to Hamas by this point," adding that "Hamas is an active enemy [of Israel] that is holding my son." 
"My heart is broken because nobody is even asking [for his body to be returned], instead, we are told we need to accept the situation," she said.