Oren Nahari's Last Request: 'We Must Find a Way to Live Together'

Oren Nahari, one of Israel's leading foreign news journalists, passed away at the age of 70 after battling ALS. Two weeks before his death, he delivered a final speech at the Radio A-Shams conference, calling for true coexistence between Jews and Arabs, beyond slogans. He emphasized the importance of bringing diverse perspectives in journalism, including those of Arab society, and called for living together in the fullest sense of the word.

Oren Nahari, one of Israel's leading foreign news journalists, passed away at the age of 70 and was laid to rest, after a rapid decline due to ALS. Two weeks before his death, Nahari attended the Radio A-Shams conference to receive a lifetime achievement award. His public appearance turned into a moving farewell and a moral testament on journalism and shared life in Israel. In his final speech, Nahari spoke about his childhood in Haifa, where he grew up 500 meters from an Arab village, describing how coexistence was natural and needed no explanation. He called for bringing all perspectives into journalistic work, including those who committed acts of terrorism, to understand their worldview. He stressed that it is the members of Arab society who should bring Arab perspectives, and gave examples from his career. Nahari criticized that in news broadcasts, people sit around a round table talking about what Arabs want, instead of asking them directly. He called for living together in the fullest sense, not just side by side, and noted that especially after October 7th, it is important to do the opposite and come closer, not to close off.