Israeli Journalists Union Initiates Move to Oust Chairman Haim Har-Zahav

The executive committee of the Israeli Union of Journalists is initiating an unprecedented move to oust incumbent chairman Haim Har-Zahav, Globes has learned. Executive committee members received a notice stating that an emergency meeting will be convened in the coming days to vote on examining such a procedure.

The notice sent to the executive committee read: "A demand for an urgent convening of the executive committee. After many months of efforts to return the organization to routine work following the problematic conduct of Chairman Haim Har-Zahav, it appears we have reached a tipping point: his continued tenure, in our view, causes severe damage to the organization, its professional functioning, its employees, and above all to the journalists he is supposed to represent. Consequently, we demand that Chairman Haim Har-Zahav convene an urgent executive committee meeting as quickly as possible, without delay and within days."

The agenda for the meeting asks the committee to discuss two aspects: first, the chairman's conduct, such as the findings of the audit committee and damage to working relations; second, launching a procedure to remove the organization's chairman from office and deciding on the procedural details.

Crisis of Trust and Legal Confrontation

The move stems from a severe and ongoing crisis of trust between Har-Zahav, the professional staff, and the executive committee. The crisis escalated following allegations of overreach and excessive involvement by the chairman in routine management, a unilateral attempt to fire CEO Michal Gera Margaliot by Har-Zahav, and a complaint letter filed by four professional staff members.

The point of no return was reached after Har-Zahav issued a warning letter ahead of a libel lawsuit against the staff members who complained about him to the executive committee—a step that led the committee to grant the employees full legal backing and choose a path to terminate his tenure.

"His continued tenure, in our view, causes severe damage to the organization, its professional functioning, its employees, and above all to the journalists he is supposed to represent."

Har-Zahav vehemently rejects any attempt to portray him as acting improperly. From his perspective, the terminology used by the staff constitutes a severe blow to his good name, which is why he demanded a public apology and threatened legal action.

Sensitive Timing for the Media Market

The turmoil comes at an exceptionally sensitive time for the Israeli press market, as the sector grapples with dramatic legislative initiatives and professional struggles against media managements. Instead of directing resources toward protecting journalists in the field, the organization has found itself paralyzed by an internal survival struggle.

If Har-Zahav's removal is approved in a vote by all members, the organization will head to new elections for a chairman. Conversely, a failure of the move poses an immediate threat to the organization's continued operation, as staff members have made it clear they will resign if Har-Zahav remains in office.