Veteran Israeli Journalist and Broadcaster Menashe Raz Dies at 80
Veteran Israeli journalist, director, and broadcaster Menashe Raz passed away at 80. A pioneering figure at Channel 1 and Kol Yisrael, Raz left a profound mark on Israeli broadcasting, documentaries, and academia.
Menashe Raz, a veteran Israeli journalist, director, television and radio host, and one of the original presenters of Channel 1's "Masefet Atonayot" (Press Conference), passed away on Thursday at the age of 80.
Born in August 1946 in Gedera, Raz was the son of Aryeh Raz, who served in the IDF with the rank of colonel (aluf mishne). He initially joined the IDF's academic reserve program (Atuda), and during his university studies, participated in an announcers' course at Kol Yisrael (Voice of Israel). He later left the reserve program to enlist in Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), where he served as a military correspondent, editor, and program host. Following his military service, he completed his studies in political science and international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and joined Kol Yisrael, where he hosted various programs, including news editions, light music and pop shows, and the Hebrew hit parade, as well as serving as the first host of the iconic sports broadcast "Shirim VeShaarim" (Songs and Goals).
Documentaries and Journalistic Career
In late 1972, Raz joined Israeli Television as a news correspondent and documentary filmmaker. In 1979, he won the prestigious David's Violin Prize for best documentary of the year, focusing on prison conditions in Israel. The broadcast of his series led to the establishment of the Kenat Committee, which examined the state of Israeli prisons. Over the years, Raz held numerous positions at Channel 1, including editor and host of "Mabat LaHadashot" (A Look at the News), and correspondent for political and military affairs. He later edited and hosted "Mischak HaShabat" (Saturday Game) and "Masefet Atonayot". Concurrently, during his IDF reserve service, he was responsible for the operational documentation of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), capturing various operations including the airlift operations of Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
Among the prominent documentary films directed by Raz were "Geshem Kayits" (Summer Rains), which examined the 2005 disengagement from the perspective of the IDF command, co-directed with Ram Landes; "HaAhat" (The One), about Squadron 201 during the Yom Kippur War; "Prida MiSinai" (Farewell to Sinai), documenting the evacuation of IAF and IDF bases from the Sinai Peninsula; and films dealing with the Palmach, post-Holocaust clandestine immigration (Aliyah Bet), and a delegation of IDF officers visiting Holocaust sites in Poland. He also documented the launch of the Eros A1 reconnaissance satellite, Robert Maxwell's visit to Israel, and created a film on the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Mea Shearim and Neturei Karta. His voice famously broadcast the IDF's withdrawal from Lebanon into the security zone in the film "Two Fingers from Sidon".
Public Relations and Academia
In 1999, Raz retired from the Israel Broadcasting Authority and transitioned to communications and public relations outside traditional journalism. He headed the communications directorate of the Center Party ahead of the Knesset elections and was subsequently appointed CEO of the Gabriel Sherover Foundation. Later, he served as communications director for ImageSat, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). In 2003, he returned to journalism as a presenter and reporter for Channel 10 News.
Over the years, Raz served on various committees and boards of directors, including the special public relations committee of the Israel Medical Association, the board of the Council for Peace and Security, and the Matav board of directors. For five years, he lectured in the Department of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University. He also taught at Tel Hai College, Sapir Academic College, the College of Management Academic Studies, and taught a public relations course at Bar-Ilan University.
