Veteran Israeli Journalist Oren Nahari Bids Farewell to Radio Amid ALS Battle

Oren Nahari, a respected Israeli journalist and radio host, aired his final program on Kan Reshet Bet this Saturday after decades in journalism. Nahari, who has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), announced that the progression of his illness has forced him to stop broadcasting. In his farewell broadcast, he reflected on the unexpected reality of having to leave the microphone sooner than he had imagined, saying, "The disease does not ask when it is convenient for us." He described how his voice is fading, breathing has become difficult, and speaking, his primary tool for decades, is increasingly challenging. Despite this, Nahari emphasized that he is not saying goodbye to the world, only to the studio and microphone, and encouraged listeners to continue engaging with the world critically.

During the program, President Isaac Herzog sent a message thanking Nahari for his many years of dedicated journalistic work, praising his professionalism, commitment, and clear, confident voice that opened a window to the wider world for listeners. Nahari's departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Israeli radio journalism, as he steps back due to his rapidly advancing illness.