Veteran Israeli Journalist Oren Nahari Dies at 70 After Battling ALS

Oren Nahari, a prominent Israeli journalist and media personality, passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). He died on Thursday and was laid to rest the same day at Menucha Nechona Cemetery in Petah Tikva. Nahari publicly revealed his diagnosis in March, describing the rapid progression of the incurable disease. Just five days before his death, he announced his retirement from his radio program "Shabbat with Oren Nahari" and the podcast "A Year in an Hour," citing the advancing impact of ALS on his speech and mobility.

In his final broadcast on Kan Reshet Bet, Nahari addressed his audience, expressing gratitude and urging listeners to continue engaging with the world critically and thoughtfully. His death prompted tributes from Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog, who praised Nahari's decades-long career opening windows to global events with professionalism and curiosity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Knesset members Yair Lapid and Gilad Kariv also honored his legacy, highlighting his intellectual depth and dedication to public broadcasting.

Nahari was born in Haifa and began his media career in the late 1970s in television sports before moving to the news department of Channel One in 1985. He became a foreign news correspondent and later editor, co-founding influential programs such as "Seeing the World" and "Globus." Alongside television, he contributed to radio, wrote columns for ynet, and authored books on history and international relations. His ability to connect current events with broader historical contexts made him a respected figure in Israeli journalism.

He is survived by his wife, poet and researcher Vered Ariel-Nahari, their two children, and grandchildren. Vered praised his courage and commitment to raising awareness about ALS. Nahari’s final months were marked by continued broadcasting despite his illness, leaving behind a rich journalistic and cultural legacy.