Vivian Silver, a prominent Canadian-born Israeli peace activist, was tragically killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Initially believed to be among the nearly 240 hostages in Gaza, Silver’s death was confirmed following the identification of her remains. A resident of Kibbutz Be’eri since the 1970s, Silver was a leading figure in several organizations advocating for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
She was also known for her humanitarian work, including volunteering to transport Gaza cancer patients to Israeli hospitals.
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Her son, Yonatan Zeigen, described her as a sensitive yet assertive force of nature, dedicated to her core beliefs. Zeigen shared their final text exchange during the attack, noting the abrupt turn from lightheartedness to despair.
Silver’s lifelong commitment to peace was contrasted with the recent violence that claimed her life and the lives of over 1,280 Israelis and 11,000 Palestinians in the ongoing conflict.
In a 2017 interview, she had expressed her determination to prevent future wars through diplomatic means. Zeigen, inheriting his mother’s legacy, vows to continue her peace efforts, underscoring the need to create a new path in her honor.