Published: 17 November 2023
Last updated: 6 September 2024
Forensic experts informed the family of the Canadian-Israeli activist, beloved on all sides of the conflict, that they had successfully identified her remains.
Tributes have poured in for Vivian Silver, a Canadian-born activist who spent decades working to foster peace between Israelis and Palestinians, whose death in the October 7 attacks has been confirmed.
Initial reports suggested Silver, 74, had been kidnapped during the Hamas massacre of her kibbutz Be'eri. More than five weeks after the attacks, forensic experts informed Silver's family on Monday that they had successfully identified her remains.
Born in Winnipeg, Silver immigrated to Israel 50 years ago with Habonim Dror, a Socialist Zionist youth movement. She was among a group of young North Americans who helped found Kibbutz Gezer in central Israel.
A grandmother of four, Silver moved from Gezer to Be’eri with her family in 1990 and has lived there ever since. She was a founding member of the Israeli-Palestinian Women Wage Peace movement, which was established in late 2014 after the last major war in Gaza.
Tributes came in from all parts of the political and religious spectrum, Israeli, Palestinian, left and right.
Michal Herzog, wife of the Israeli president: "I was fortunate to know Vivian Silver and along with her circle of friends and fans prayed for her safe return home. One cannot comprehend that this optimistic, beautiful soul is gone."
Peta Pellach, colleague and friend: Vivian was a remarkable woman who embodied commitment, love and a passion for justice. She was radiant. The two pillars that guided her life - feminism and Zionism - led her to become one of the founding members of Women Wage Peace in 2014. It was there that I met her and came to love her. Vivian's legacy is the recognition that Israel can continue to win wars but the threat will not disappear until we have peace based on justice and based on love. And we need women to be at the forefront if that is to happen.
Samah Salaime, feminist Palestinian activist and writer and founder of Women in the Centre NGO: "Vivian believed in the power of women, and the power of compassion and love — in the completely naïve, simple meaning of these words."
Yael Patir, colleague: “Vivian was our hope, the best representative of the Israeli peace movement and the way in which it evolved throughout the years. When she felt that the peace movement lost the Israeli public, she established "Women Wage Peace" because she wanted to talk to everyone, especially Jewish women with views very different from her own."
Robi Damelin, friend and colleague: "It is so sad and unfair. I was so sure she would be back from captivity and be at the forefront of peace negotiations. She was loved by so many and will be sorely missed."
Rami Aman, Palestinian activist in Gaza: "The Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Ishtayeh, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and the Basmet Amal Foundation in Gaza, focusing on cancer treatment, as well as thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, Hebron, Jenin, Jerusalem, Negev, Haifa, and Beersheba, are aware of her efforts and activities.
"If Vivian were still in this world and witnessed the Israeli massacres against Palestinian children and women, she would undoubtedly have been among the first to demand an end to the war and the murdering of people in Gaza."
Achinoam Nini, singer and activist: "Vivian, I promise you to continue working for peace! Just as you would have done and wanted me to do , and in the way that best respects your memory and your life's work."
READ MORE
Canadian peace activist confirmed killed in Hamas attack (Guardian)
Vivian Silver, Missing Israeli-Canadian Peace Activist, Confirmed Killed in Oct 7 Hamas Attack (Haaretz)
