Full Breakdown
Veteran Israeli Journalist Oren Nahari Dies at 70 After Long Battle with ALS
8/14/2026, 2:49:21 AM
Core Event
Veteran journalist, historian and radio broadcaster Oren Nahari died at 70 after a prolonged struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family announced his death on a Thursday, noting that the disease had forced him to end his long-running radio programs earlier in the year.
Background & Context
Born in Haifa, Nahari entered Israeli media in the late 1970s, starting in Channel 1’s sports department. He moved to the news division in 1985, later becoming foreign news correspondent and editor. He helped launch the foreign-news shows “Ro’im Olam” (Seeing the World) in 1988 and “Globus.”
In the 2000s he expanded into radio and podcasting with the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), hosting “Shabbat with Oren Nahari” and the history podcast “A Year in an Hour.” He also produced the historical series “The American Experiment” on Kan Reshet Bet.
Timeline
- Late 1970s – Begins television career in Channel 1 sports.
- 1985 – Moves to Channel 1 news as foreign correspondent.
- Early 1990s – Serves as foreign news editor.
- 1988 – Co-creates “Ro’im Olam.”
- March 2023 – Discloses ALS diagnosis.
- August 8 2023 – Delivers final broadcast of “Shabbat with Oren Nahari” and “A Year in an Hour.”
- Thursday, August 2023 – Death announced; funeral scheduled in Petach Tikva.
Data & Statistics
- Age at death: 70.
- ALS diagnosis disclosed: March 2023.
- Final broadcast date: August 8, 2023.
- Original manuscript for *The Great Battles That Changed History* contained 50 battles; publisher limited the final version to 30.
Impact and Legacy
Colleagues remembered Nahari for his encyclopedic knowledge and ability to make complex subjects accessible. He mentored many journalists, teaching the importance of storytelling in news. His final on-air message urged listeners to keep “looking, listening, asking questions.”
Official Statements & Responses
KAN issued a tribute noting Nahari’s pioneering contributions to foreign news reporting and his “Renaissance-man” approach to journalism.
What’s Next
Nahari’s funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon in Petach Tikva. His body of work—including books, television programs, radio series and podcasts—remains available for study and continues to influence Israeli media discourse.
