Judih Weinstein, a Canadian-Israeli woman whose whereabouts had been unknown since the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas, was confirmed to have passed away during the initial assault, as stated by her kibbutz on Thursday. The family of Judih Weinstein released this information.
In a tragic turn of events, Canadian-Israeli woman Judih Weinstein, missing since the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, has been confirmed dead. The announcement came from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday, revealing that Weinstein succumbed to fatal wounds during the initial assault, along with her husband, Gad Haggai, whose death was confirmed a week prior.
The kibbutz lamented the loss, stating that their bodies are still held by Hamas. Weinstein, a 70-year-old with Canadian and U.S. citizenship, grew up in Canada before moving to Israel two decades ago. She dedicated her life to serving others, teaching English and employing her passions for poetry, puppeteering, and mindfulness to empower children from diverse backgrounds.
Weinstein, a mother of four and grandmother of seven, was remembered for her compassion and peaceful nature. Her family highlighted her creative life built with her husband and her commitment to mindfulness, especially during times of attacks.
Weinstein's family endured weeks of uncertainty following the attack, with her niece revealing the couple had been shot during an early-morning walk. Israeli officials later indicated that Weinstein's cellphone signal was detected within Gaza. The emotional roller-coaster intensified as her family awaited news of her release among the hostages.
Canadian officials, particularly from the RCMP, remained responsive, offering support to the grieving family. Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly expressed condolences, describing Weinstein as loving, kind, and compassionate. Global Affairs Canada condemned the brutality of the Hamas terrorist attack, demanding the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife expressed devastation over Weinstein's death, pledging continued efforts to bring home those still held hostage. Approximately 1,200 people were killed in the initial Hamas attack, including several Canadians, with Nir Oz Kibbutz severely affected.
As of the latest official tally, more than 120 people remain held in Gaza, while 23 have been confirmed dead. The Israel Defense Forces admitted to mistakenly killing three hostages during an operation. Weinstein's family also expressed uncertainty about Israel's response to the attacks, raising concerns about constant airstrikes and a Gaza siege, which the United Nations deems a violation of international humanitarian law.
In addition to their grief, the family voiced distress over the surge in hateful speech toward both Jews and Muslims in Canada, echoing Weinstein's belief in peace and harmony. Weinstein's brother emphasized the need for resolution, stressing that unity is impossible when people are at each other's throats. The tragic loss of Judih Weinstein serves as a somber reminder of the human toll of conflicts and the ongoing challenges faced by affected families.
