I wanted to take a moment to remember an incredible human being. Canadian-Israeli peace activist, Vivian Silver, devoted her life to building bridges between people, not trenches.

A former board member of the Israeli human rights organization, B’Tselem, she also worked with the Alliance for Middle East Peace. After she retired in 2014, she co-founded Women Wage Peace, an interfaith grassroots organization. In fact, only days before the Hamas attacks, Vivian helped organize a peace rally in Jerusalem which gathered together at least 1500 Jewish and Palestinian women.

Vivian spent her life advocating for Palestinians and raising awareness of the cruelties of the occupation and blockade. She helped ensure the transportation of Gazans with medical needs to Israeli hospital facilities. And worked diligently on building understanding between peoples.

Sadly, Vivian was among the hundreds of Israelis who were massacred by Hamas. Her remains were just identified among many found in Be’eri.

There are some who would point a scoffing finger at Vivian’s life and cynically say: “look at what your activism got you.” But anyone who has picked up the olive branch knows full well that it is often far more perilous than waging war.

Working toward a just peace isn’t about standing on the sidelines. It isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires a steadfast commitment to the principles of universal human rights and reconciliation. And this can often lead to being targeted, both figuratively and literally, by those who are against such things. It can sometimes lead to being caught in the crossfire.

Vivian’s death isn’t the failure of solidarity. It isn’t the failure of the anti-apartheid or peace movement. It is the tragic outcome of a decades long project of occupation and ethnic cleansing, culminating in a vicious cycle of violent barbarity. But it is her life that must be highlighted and celebrated as a testament to the best of humanity, not her death.

Photo is of Vivian and her friend Amal Elsana Alh’jooj, the Bedouin Palestinian-Israeli feminist, peace activist. In 1999, they cofounded the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation.

May Vivian’s life be a blessing and may she rest in peace and in power. 

Kenn Orphan, November 2023