Veteran Israeli Journalist Shlomo Nakdimon Celebrates 90th Birthday Reflecting on Six Decades of Media Work
Shlomo Nakdimon, a prominent Israeli journalist and communications advisor, marked his 90th birthday on July 29, 2026, though he traditionally celebrates according to the Hebrew calendar, commemorating it recently on the 10th of Av, 5786. Born in Haifa in 1936, Nakdimon grew up in a politically active household where news and politics were integral to daily life. After completing his military service, he began his journalism career at the newspaper "Herut" before joining "Yedioth Ahronoth," where he worked for six decades until formally retiring in July 2021.
During his tenure at "Yedioth Ahronoth," Nakdimon served as a labor union correspondent and later as a political correspondent, writing opinion columns and political analyses that revealed behind-the-scenes insights into Israeli politics. Between 1978 and 1980, he was the communications advisor to Prime Minister Menachem Begin during the critical peace negotiations with Egypt. Besides journalism, Nakdimon authored ten books and biographies on the history of the Jewish settlement and the State of Israel, including the notable "Tammuz in Flames," about the bombing of Iraq’s nuclear reactor. He also conducted a rare interview with Khidir Hamza, the father of Iraq’s nuclear program.
Nakdimon has received several prestigious awards, including the Israel Prize for Communications and Visual Media in 2024, the Sokolov Prize for Journalism, and recognition as an honored citizen of Tel Aviv. Married to Zehava, he is a father of two and grandfather of four. Despite his age, Nakdimon remains active in journalism, currently working on a memoir featuring previously unpublished material. He continues to start his day reading "Yedioth Ahronoth" and other newspapers, affirming that his passion for journalism "still burns brightly."
