Veteran Israeli Broadcaster Menashe Raz Dies at 80

Menashe Raz, a veteran Israeli journalist, director, and television personality, has passed away at the age of 80. For decades, Raz was a recognizable voice and face of public broadcasting in Israel, holding numerous roles in broadcasting, editing, and reporting across radio and television.

Raz began his media career at Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), where he served as a military correspondent, editor, and presenter. After his military service, he joined Kol Yisrael (Voice of Israel), hosting news bulletins and music programs, and was the first anchor of the iconic show "Shirim VeSha'arim" (Songs and Goals).

He later moved to Channel 1, Israel's first television channel, where he spent many years as a military and political correspondent, editor, and anchor. Among his notable work, he hosted "Mabat LaChadashot" (News Outlook), edited and hosted the interview program "Mesibat Itonaim" (Press Conference), and directed documentary films. In 1979, he received the Kinor David (Harp of David) award for a series of documentaries he directed on the state of Israeli prisons.

Even after his prominent years on screen, Raz remained associated with the founding generation of Israeli television. In 2010, as his work with the Israel Broadcasting Authority concluded, then-Director General Moti Shklar described him as "a journalist with many merits." Raz also engaged in teaching, sharing his experience with generations of students in communication, cinema, and television. For over four decades, he was an integral part of Israeli broadcasting during the era when Channel 1 and Kol Yisrael were considered the nation's central media outlets.