Haaretz: a liberal Israeli newspaper, its history and the pressures of recent years
Haaretz occupies a special place in Israeli journalism. It is known as a liberal newspaper, associated with strong reporting, opinion writing, cultural criticism and a readership that often values long-form analysis. Supporters regard it as one of the country’s most serious newspapers; critics sometimes see it as elitist or politically provocative. Either way, Haaretz has remained a reference point in Israeli public debate for generations.
How the paper began
Historical documentation from the National Library of Israel notes that Haaretz was founded in 1919. Over time it became one of the central newspapers in Hebrew public life. Under the Schocken family, and later through both Hebrew and English editions, it developed a reputation for editorial independence, intellectual ambition and a willingness to publish dissenting views.
Why it is called liberal
The paper is often described as liberal because it has historically given space to civil-rights arguments, critical debate about government policy, and a willingness to challenge dominant national narratives. That does not mean every writer agrees with every other writer, but it does mean that Haaretz often publishes material that falls outside more populist or nationalist editorial lines.
Why recent years have been difficult
Recent years have been hard for many newspapers, and Haaretz is no exception. The broader crisis of print journalism, the shift to digital subscriptions, audience polarization, accusations of disloyalty, and the pressure of covering war and trauma all weigh heavily on a paper like Haaretz. In the Israeli environment, political hostility can also become unusually intense when a newspaper publishes uncomfortable reporting or sharply critical commentary.
The pressure of public polarization
Israeli society has become more polarized in tone and in media consumption. In such a climate, a newspaper with a strong editorial voice can lose trust among some readers even as it becomes more essential to others. Haaretz has had to navigate the difficult balance between criticism, patriotism, moral scrutiny and the emotional pressures of wartime public life.
Why the paper still matters
Haaretz matters because democratic cultures need institutions that investigate, criticize, archive and argue. A newspaper is not valuable only when it is universally loved. Sometimes its deeper value lies in the questions it insists on asking. Whether one agrees with it or not, Haaretz remains part of the intellectual infrastructure of Israeli society.