Heavy mourning in Israeli media: The esteemed journalist Yitzhak Noam has passed away
Yitzhak Noam, one of the founders of Eilat and a pioneer of local media, has passed away at 96. He leaves behind a rich legacy of decades of exceptional journalistic and public service.
Arav Arav be-Eilat, the oldest publication in Israel operating since 1962, announced on Thursday the death of its founder, veteran journalist and one of the founders of the city of Eilat, Yitzhak Noam. He was 96.
"With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Yitzhak Noam, a pioneer of local journalism in Israel, who dedicated more than six decades of his life to journalism, the community, and the city of Eilat," the farewell statement read.
Yitzhak Noam was born on February 18, 1931. His connection to Eilat began in 1949, shortly after the city's liberation during Operation Uvda, when he arrived in Umm Rashrash with Arik Sharon's reconnaissance unit. In 1957, he returned to the city with his late wife, Pua Noam. The couple were among the generation that laid the foundations for the young city's community and cultural life.
In those days, Eilat had only about 1,500 residents. Pua worked as a teacher at the first school, while Yitzhak worked for the Arkia company, at the Timna mines, and as an airport inspector. The couple also co-founded the city's first art gallery, which operated for over a decade at the Laromme Hotel.
The journalist who connected Eilat to the country
Noam's journalistic career began on January 28, 1959. Haaretz correspondent Motke Artzieli, looking for someone to cover Eilat, reached out to Noam. Soon, his reports were published under his own name. For a decade, he was the Haaretz correspondent in Eilat, later wrote for the Davar newspaper, and from 1968, served for over 20 years as a radio correspondent for Kol Yisrael in Eilat and the Arava.
Through his work, national media gained access to news from the southern city, which was then far from the country's center. His writing was characterized by integrity and accuracy, making him the primary news source for the region.
The birth of the first local newspaper
In 1962, Yitzhak and Pua Noam founded Arav Arav be-Eilat. At the time, no other local newspaper existed in Israel. The idea was to provide Eilat residents with a local platform, as national morning papers arrived only in the afternoon. The first issue was a modest sheet distributed by the couple themselves.
Over the years, the paper grew into a major media enterprise, becoming a model for the entire country. It accompanied Eilat for over six decades, documenting its development from a frontier town to an international tourist hub.
A school for journalism
The Arav Arav be-Eilat editorial office became a true training ground. Many prominent media figures began their careers there, including Yaakov Erez, Yair Stern, and Yehudit Zilberstein. Yitzhak Noam instilled the belief that local journalism must be professional, independent, and committed to the public.
The paper also became a vital community institution, supporting charity and sports initiatives, including the Arav Arav basketball league and environmental campaigns to protect the Gulf of Eilat.
Yitzhak's children, Zivit Amitai and Adv. Rotem Noam, continue his legacy, maintaining the newspaper and website as an integral part of Eilat's identity.
The funeral will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 18:00 at the Eilat cemetery. The family will sit shiva at the deceased's home at 12/34 Dakar Street, 9th floor. May his memory be blessed.
