Israeli-Canadian Peace Activist Vivian Silver died

The devastating confirmation of the death of Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver has sent shockwaves through the community. Initially presumed to be a hostage following the Hamas militant group’s assault on October 7, her family has now sadly confirmed her demise after DNA identification of her remains. A stalwart advocate for peace, Silver, 74, founded Women Wage Peace after the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, working tirelessly to foster peace-building initiatives among women across diverse communities and political spectrums.

In a poignant 2018 event for Women Wage Peace, she implored the Israeli government to change its approach to lasting peace in Gaza, emphasizing the shared desire for a quiet and peaceful life. Silver’s son, Yonaten Zeigen, echoing her teachings, has called for a rare ceasefire, a plea that stands out amidst calls in Israel to eliminate Hamas and secure Gaza’s freedom. A longstanding director of the Arab Jewish Centre for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation, Silver devoted her life to organizing projects uniting communities in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.