Veteran Israeli Foreign News Journalist Oren Nahari Dies at 70

Oren Nahari, a veteran Israeli journalist and foreign news presenter, passed away at the age of 70. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation announced his death on Thursday, mourning one of the most recognizable voices in Israeli public broadcasting and international news coverage. Nahari’s death came just days after he aired his final program on Kan Reshet Bet, stepping down due to the rapid progression of ALS, a muscle-wasting disease that affected his breathing, swallowing, and speech.

Nahari was a prominent figure in Israeli journalism for decades, having been appointed foreign news editor of Channel One in the early 1990s, a role closely associated with his name. The corporation praised him as a key symbol of public broadcasting and a foundational figure in foreign news coverage in Israel. Throughout his career, Nahari covered major historical events such as South Africa’s democratic elections, the Rwandan genocide, the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the October 7 massacre.

In recent years, Nahari returned to public broadcasting, hosting the weekly "Saturday with Oren Nahari" on Kan Reshet Bet and co-hosting the series "The American Experiment" with Eran Sikorol, commemorating 250 years of U.S. independence. His final broadcast was on August 8, when he informed listeners that his deteriorating health would prevent him from continuing. He urged his audience to keep observing the world with open eyes, to question, listen, and remain curious.

Nahari’s legacy is marked by his dedication to conveying global events with love, curiosity, talent, and a true journalistic mission. His farewell message to listeners emphasized the importance of critical engagement with the world, a testament to his lifelong commitment to journalism.