Saying goodbye to Oran Nahari: Haifa native who became one of the most prominent voices in foreign news in Israel | Watch special interview

(Haipo) – Journalist and media personality Oren Nahari passed away today, Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the age of 70, after a battle with ALS. Nahari was born in Haifa and a graduate of the Rally.

Nahari, who is considered one of the most prominent and influential professionals in the field of foreign news in Israel, left behind a broad journalistic legacy, thousands of hours of broadcast time, programs that became cornerstones of public broadcasting, and a large and loyal audience. Only last Saturday did he announce on his program on Channel 2 that he would not be able to continue broadcasting due to the progression of his illness, and in his final words he asked listeners to continue to be curious and strive to know as much as possible. Today (Thursday, August 13, 26 at 6:00 PM) he will be laid to rest at the Menucha Nahna Cemetery, Shaar Yarkon, in Petah Tikva.

The moving farewell message in the last broadcast

Last Saturday, on his program "Shabbat with Oren Nahari," Nahari addressed his listeners and announced that his medical condition did not allow him to continue broadcasting. He said that he was having difficulty breathing and that the disease was progressing rapidly. Nahari, who was known for his ability to explain complex international processes in a clear and in-depth manner, asked listeners to continue to research, ask questions, and be interested in the world.

In his final words, he said that if he hadn't been sick, he could have been "one of the best grandfathers in history," thanks to all the interesting things he would have taught his grandchildren. He also said goodbye to listeners of his podcast "A Year in an Hour," in which he reviewed major international events every week.

In memory of Oren Nahari 1955-2026 | Yotam Yakir, CEO of Haifa Museums, in a special interview with Oren Nahari, talking about Haifa, March 2026.

Childhood in Haifa and the beginning of the path at the Reali School

Oren Nahari was born and raised in Haifa. He studied at the Reali School, an educational institution where many of Israel's public and cultural figures grew up. From an early age, he was interested in history, geopolitics, and news, fields that later became the center of his professional life.

After military service, he began his career in the media world in the late 70s in the sports department of Israeli television. The transition to the world of news occurred in 1985, when he joined the news department of Channel One and served as a foreign news correspondent.

Founder of Foreign News in Israel: "Seeing the World" and "Globus"

Nahari is considered one of the founders of foreign news in Israel. He was one of the founders of the programs "Ro'im Olam" and "Globus," both of which became flagship programs of public broadcasting and brought Israeli viewers a broad overview of international events, global trends, and political crises around the world.

For many years, Nahari was the editor-in-chief of foreign news on Channel One, a role in which he shaped the way the Israeli public was exposed to the world. He was known for his extraordinary ability to make complex information accessible, present historical contexts, and explain international phenomena in a clear and precise manner.

Disclosure of the disease and personal coping

Last March, Nahari revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a terminal degenerative disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. He said that his condition was deteriorating rapidly and that he was having difficulty functioning in daily life. In recent interviews, he said that the thing he regrets most is not being able to spend more years with his wife, Vered, and his grandchildren.

ALS causes gradual muscle weakness leading to complete paralysis, affecting the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of diagnosis, usually from respiratory failure. However, there is great variability among patients, with some surviving for many years.

What is ALS disease?

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is an incurable disease in which motor nerve cells are gradually destroyed. As a result, the muscles do not receive electrical signals, and they weaken and atrophy. The disease affects the voluntary muscles, and later also the respiratory muscles.

The disease does not impair cognitive abilities in most patients, so they remain fully aware of their condition. This is one of the most difficult aspects of the disease. Rare cases of extremely slow progression, such as that of physicist Stephen Hawking, demonstrate the complexity of the disease and the great variability between patients.

A four-decade career in public broadcasting

Nahari's death ends a journalistic career that spanned more than four decades. He was considered one of the most prominent voices in foreign journalism in Israel, a man who dedicated his life to explaining the world to the Israeli public. He was an integral part of public broadcasting, from Channel One to Reshet B, and left a deep mark on generations of journalists and listeners.

Nahari was known for his calm, precise, and in-depth broadcasting style. He did not settle for reporting on events, but always sought to understand the broader context, history, and global implications. He was one of the journalists who believed that the role of the media was not only to report, but also to teach.

• Years of activity and contribution to foreign journalism – From 1986 on Channel One's foreign news, and from 1993 as foreign news editor.
• The international events he covered closely – The Rwandan genocide, the first elections in South Africa, the Yugoslavian wars and the September 11 attacks.
• Interviews with leaders and intellectuals – Presidents of the United States, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Václav Havel and more.
• Creating TV shows – "Seeing the World", "Globus" and "World Coverage".
• Radio work – "The International Hour", "It's All Talk" and later "Shabbat with Oren Nahari".
• His activities as a writer and author of books – Especially the atlases and history books, which illustrate his connection between journalism, history, and culture.
• Awards and recognition – Smoller Prize for Journalism and the B'nai Brith Life Achievement Award.
• Academic and public activity in recent years – Rubinstein Institute at Reichman University, Israel Council on Foreign Relations and Sapir Prize.

For more than four decades, Oren Nahari has been one of Israel's most recognizable and prominent voices in foreign news and international commentary. He not only reported on the events that shaped the world, but also made the history, culture, and politics behind them accessible to the Israeli audience - in his intellectual, curious, and unique style.

Farewell to a media figure who became an institution

The farewell to Oran Nahari is a farewell to a media figure who became an institution. Nahari left behind his wife Vered, his children and grandchildren, along with a large audience of listeners who appreciated his work and personality. His journalistic legacy will continue to accompany public broadcasting and the media world in Israel for many years to come.