A Guide to the Vibrant and Polarized Press of Israel

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of Israel, a nation with a highly developed, influential, and intensely vibrant media landscape. The Israeli press, publishing primarily in Hebrew with a robust and widely read English-language sector, is a cornerstone of the country’s boisterous democracy. It is characterized by a deep political polarization, a competitive daily market that includes both paid-for and free newspapers, and a dynamic digital news scene where online portals are the primary source of information for most citizens.

The Hebrew-Language Daily Press: A Battle of Narratives

The Hebrew-language press is the heart of the national conversation, with several major dailies competing for influence and readership, each with a distinct political leaning.

• Israel Hayom (Israel Today): A free daily newspaper, Israel Hayom has the largest circulation in the country. It is known for its strong right-wing, conservative perspective and its historical alignment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• Yedioth Ahronoth (Latest News): For decades the country’s top-selling newspaper, this centrist, tabloid-style paper remains a media powerhouse.³ Its online news portal, Ynet, is the most popular news website in Israel.

• Haaretz (The Land): As Israel’s oldest daily newspaper, Haaretz is the country’s newspaper of record and its leading liberal voice. It is renowned for its in-depth analysis, investigative journalism, and a left-wing stance that is often critical of government policy.

• Maariv (Evening): A long-standing daily with a centrist viewpoint, Maariv is another key player in the national media landscape.

The Essential English-Language Press

Catering to a large international audience, diplomats, immigrants, and tourists, Israel’s English-language press provides a crucial window into the nation’s complex society.

• The Jerusalem Post: A leading English-language daily with a centre-right perspective, The Jerusalem Post is widely read by the international community for its coverage of Israeli politics, the Middle East, and the Jewish world.

• Haaretz English Edition: The English version of the respected liberal daily provides its critical and in-depth journalism to a global audience.

• The Times of Israel: A major and influential online-only news portal, The Times of Israel has a broad, centrist perspective and has become a primary source of news for English-language readers worldwide.

A Challenging Media Environment

While the Israeli press is pluralistic and diverse, it operates under unique and challenging conditions. All media is subject to the Israeli Military Censor, which can prevent the publication of information deemed a threat to national security. Furthermore, the deep political polarization in the country often translates into a contentious and pressured environment for journalists. The ongoing conflict also presents extreme dangers for reporters covering events in the region.

From the mass-circulation free dailies to the agenda-setting liberal broadsheets and the influential online portals, the media of Israel offers a compelling and multifaceted view of this complex and dynamic nation. Explore our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com to connect with the full spectrum of voices from Israel.