Orit Galili-Zucker, Veteran Israeli Political Communication Expert, Dies at 70

Orit Galili-Zucker, a renowned Israeli political communication expert and former investigative journalist for Haaretz, passed away at the age of 70. She began her public and media career in the early 1980s, initially serving as a parliamentary assistant to Knesset member Ora Namir and as a secretary at the Schocken media group. In 1983, she joined Haaretz's news desk, working there for about 15 years as a leading reporter and editor. Concurrently, she was a correspondent for the "Yoman" news program on Channel One.

In 1999, Galili-Zucker left journalism to pursue academic research, earning a doctorate from Bar-Ilan University focused on leadership in modern politics, comparing leaders in Israel and worldwide. She later lectured at Tel Aviv University and Bar-Ilan University, managed academic programs on political leadership, and led seminars at the National Security College.

Galili-Zucker became a prominent political strategist and advisor in Israel. During the 2009 elections, she was a strategic consultant for the Labor Party and its leader Ehud Barak. Between 2011 and 2013, she headed the political communication team for Prime Minister and Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu. From 2014 until her final years, she ran an independent consultancy specializing in strategic advice and public opinion research in political communication.

She is survived by two sons: Itamar Galili from her marriage to Moti Galili, and Eran Zucker Galili from her marriage to former Knesset member Dedi Zucker.