Haaretz journalist fired after 12 years: "I am in shock"
Against the backdrop of the collective agreement to reduce staff at the Haaretz group signed in July, journalist and editor Merav Moran is ending her tenure after a decade: "I didn't see it coming and I was surprised. Completely. Boom."
The layoffs come against the backdrop of the Haaretz management's announcement last July regarding the necessity to reduce coverage areas and lay off employees due to financial difficulties. As part of intensive negotiations conducted by the workers' committee, the number of those laid off was reduced by a third, and it was agreed that up to 19 journalists from the bargaining unit would be summoned for a hearing by mid-August 2026 under improved conditions. Furthermore, it was determined that the positions of up to 5 employees would be reduced, and immunity from further reduction layoffs was granted until July 2027, except for exceptional cases.
Now, in the shadow of the latest layoff storm, journalist, reporter, and editor Merav Moran — who in recent years covered urban planning, transportation, real estate, and urban economics at Haaretz and TheMarker — shared in an open post that she too was fired from the newspaper and that starting in October she will no longer be part of the editorial staff.
"TL;DR: I was fired from Haaretz and from October I am no longer a member of the newspaper's editorial staff. I was a bit shocked, why a bit? A lot. During my years of work, I received a stream of praise and accolades in abundance, superlative compliments and appreciation from the entire command chain at the newspaper... I willingly accepted the many positive reinforcements along the way, so I really didn't see it coming and I was surprised. Completely. Boom."
Moran, who in the past held a series of writing and editing roles at Globes, Hadashot, HaIr, and the IOL portal, described the difficult feelings alongside the economic understanding: "I know and completely believe my excellent and beloved editors who are sad about my departure and that I will be missed on the editorial team... and this time the facts are hard for me to digest. I am sad. Very, very." She added that "a private business, if it encounters difficulties, is allowed and perhaps even better off firing its employees."
Despite her disappointment, Moran asked her followers to maintain a respectful discourse towards the media outlet and not to lash out at it: "As always: I ask not to respond with words of hate, curses, and insults. And anyone who writes bad things about my Haaretz might find their comment deleted, contrary to my customs, and without prior warning."
