Zlata Kosovsky, 28, of Kiryat Gat, was murdered by Hamas at the Psyduck Festival near Nirim on October 7.
Kosovsky attended the festival with her boyfriend Itai “Houston” Hadar, who was also murdered. On October 9, when Zlata and Itai were still considered missing, her sister Bela described speaking to the police and ZAKA in an effort to get information on Zlata. Bela said none of the first responders she spoke to knew about the party, which was much smaller than the nearby Supernova Festival in Re’im and was held without permits or police knowledge.
“They don’t realize that there was another party [in the western Negev] they are in shock every time we tell them. They can’t understand that there was another place, another party,” she said.
Online, friends and loved ones described Zlata as a constant source of joy and comfort to all those around her. They recalled a talented, generous young woman who loved art and working with children and giving of herself. On her Facebook page, her love of rescue dogs — especially pit bulls — is clear as day.
In a Twitter thread sharing memories sent by loved ones, reporter Josh Breiner of Haaretz wrote that from a young age Zlata worked in education and always found ways to volunteer. She trained children in martial arts and worked as an educator in the army. At her most recent job she also helped negotiate better working conditions for her and her colleagues.
Loved ones told Breiner that Zlata was the type of person who all of her friends considered their best friend.
Zlata was a graduate of the Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts, where she earned a degree in business management.
On an online memorial page, a close friend and coworker named Nitzan wrote, “Every shift with you was so much better. Your amazing smile, the hugs and the laughter. Thank you for being there for me when I needed it. I just don’t have the words to describe what an amazing person you were.”
On Facebook, Zlata’s mother Galina Kosovsky posted a picture of her daughter as a young child looking into the camera.
In the caption she wrote: “‘Mom, I woke up, come give me a kiss.’ This is how little Zlata would begin every day. I want to talk about her to no end. Where can I find the colors that would capture her beautiful green eyes? How can I describe her charming and beautiful smile? What music could convey your magical laugh? How can I convey the power of your hugs, which gave me the energy to live? I cry for her, I cry for myself and I cry for all of the world that lost one of its most fantastic colors. Rest my girl, rest my joy. May you have beautiful dreams.”
