Haaretz

Haaretz is a prominent Israeli daily newspaper.

It serves as the nation's newspaper of record. This means it is viewed as a primary source for official news and historical documentation. Founded in 1918, it is the longest-running newspaper currently in print in Israel. The publication is available in both Hebrew and English. It uses the Berliner format, which is a specific newspaper layout. It also maintains a strong digital presence through its websites. The paper is widely recognized for its left-wing and liberal political stances. These views apply to both domestic and foreign policy issues.

The newspaper operates through a specific editorial structure and style. Unlike many mass-circulation papers, Haaretz uses smaller headlines and smaller print. It devotes less space to photographs and more space to deep political analysis. Most opinion columns are written by regular commentators rather than guest writers. This consistency helps build a specific intellectual tone. The paper focuses on various content types, including investigative reporting and book reviews. It also covers social and environmental issues extensively. This approach makes it a major source for the country's political and economic elites.

Haaretz has a long and complex history of ownership and leadership. It was first published in 1918 under the sponsorship of the British military government in Palestine. In 1919, a group of businessmen established it as Hadashot Ha'aretz, meaning "News of the Land."

The paper was initially based in Jerusalem. It faced a brief closure due to a lack of money. It reopened in Tel Aviv in 1923 under editor Moshe Glickson. Glickson led the paper for 15 years. The Tel Aviv municipality even supported the paper by paying for advertisements in advance.

The Schocken family played a massive role in the paper's development. Salman Schocken, a businessman who fled Germany in 1934, bought the paper in December 1935. His son, Gershom Schocken, became the editor-in-chief in 1939. Gershom held this position until his death in 1990. The Schocken family remained the sole owners for many decades. In 2006, they sold a 25% stake to the German publisher M. DuMont Schauberg. This transaction was controversial because of the Nazi ties of the publisher's father. Later, in 2011, Leonid Nevzlin purchased a 20% stake. By December 2019, the Schocken family regained 75% ownership. They bought back the shares previously held by DuMont Schauberg.

The editorial policy of Haaretz is a subject of constant discussion. It describes itself as having a broadly liberal outlook. This includes being liberal on security, civil rights, and the economy. The paper is also known for being very critical of the Netanyahu government. It consistently supports peace initiatives and opposes the occupation of Palestinian territories. For example, it endorsed a two-state solution in July 2025. It also welcomed a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Palestinian statehood. These stances often place the paper in the crosshairs of political opponents.

Because of its critical nature, the paper has faced significant challenges. In October 2012, a union strike caused a one-day interruption of the paper. This was the first time since 1965 that a strike stopped a newspaper from printing. More recently, in November 2024, the Israeli government ordered a boycott of Haaretz. This followed remarks made by publisher Amos Schocken regarding the Palestinian population. The government banned its officials from using the paper and stopped government advertising. These sanctions were condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The event caused a decline in advertising revenue and many subscription cancellations.

Haaretz maintains a significant, though specialized, presence in the media landscape. In 2022, a TGI survey showed it had the third-largest readership in Israel. Its exposure rate was 4.7%, which was lower than Israel Hayom and Yedioth Ahronoth. However, its influence remains high due to its educated readership. In 2008, the paper reported 65,000 paid subscribers and 72,000 daily sales. The English edition has a subscriber base of 15,000. International observers and the international press frequently discuss its reporting. It remains a central, if controversial, pillar of Israeli journalism.