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The majority of 19th century Jewish and Hebrew newspapers in the Diaspora were mainly political journals with articles and commentary rather than news reports. - Since 1863, this was also the case with newspapers of EretzYisrael. In the 20th century this trend was reinforced since most of Eretz Yisrael newspapers were run by political parties. Each movement or political party had its own newspaper or periodical whereby political journalism was first priority. The four people depicted on this series represent different facets of political journalism before and during the time of the establishment of the State of Israel.
Abba Ahimeir (Heisinovitch) (Belorussia - Eretz Yisrael 1897-1962 Political journalist, historian and writer)
In 1924 the University of Vienna granted him a doctorate in philosophy and he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and became a member of the "Hapoel Hatzair" Movement. In 1928 he changed his political opinions and joined the Revisionists. In his articles, which were published in many periodicals, he strongly opposed the British mandate. He formed an underground movement called, "Brit Habirionim" and served 18 months in a British jail. Ahimeir's doctrine served as the ideological beginnings of the Etzel and Lehi movements. In 1933 Ahimeir was suspected of inciting the murder of Haim Arlozorov but was acquitted without trial. After the establishment of the State of Israel, Ahimeir was on the editorial staff of the daily newspaper "Herut" and also the Hebrew Encyclopaedia.
(Galicia - Eretz Yisrael 1910-1996 Teacher, philosopher and political journalist)
In 1934 he received a doctorate in philosophy from the Viennese Rabbinical College. Eldad taught in the "Tarbut" Teaching College in Vilna. He was active in the Betar Movement from 1935. Eldad immigrated to EretzYisrael in1941 and worked as a high school teacher. Together with Yitzhak Shamir and Nathan Yellin-Mor, he was one of the leaders of the Lehi underground Movement, and was responsible for publicizing it's ideas. Eldad edited and wrote in Lehi's journals and wrote the manifestos of the movement. After the establishment of the State of Israel Eldad founded the ideological journal "Sulam" that called for Israeli sovereignty. He wrote many newspaper articles on politics and affairs of the state. He wrote an autobiography and many other books. He also translated the 7 volumes of Nietzche's writings into Hebrew. Eldad was a Professor of Humanities at the Haifa Technion.
(Russia- Eretz Yisrael 1890-1936 One of the most well known political writers in EretzYisrael)
Beilinson studied in Switzerland and Germany and lived in Italy from where he emigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1924. He was a doctor of medicine but did not practice medicine. He wrote the first editorials of the workers' newspaper "Davar". Over the years he wrote 2,300 articles for the paper. After the Arab uprising in 1936 Beilinson wrote a daily column "Dvar Hayom", which was considered the official announcements of the Yishuv leadership. Beilinson held many public positions such as Chairman of the Kupat Holim Clalit (General Health Fund) Supervisory Committee and the Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva is named after him. He died suddenly when he was 46 years old.
Rabbi Binyamin (Yehoshua Radler-Feldman)
(Galicia - Eretz Yisrael 1880-1957 Writer and political journalist)
Yehoshua Radler-Feldman was known as Rabbi Binyamin. He was one of the pioneers of the Second Aliyah (immigration to Israel). He integrated seemingly diverse characteristics: pioneer, religious and supporter of building a relationship with the Arabs. He wrote many articles on literature and current affairs. He edited religious periodicals, among them "Hahed" which he edited for more than 25 years. "Hahed"'s purpose was to bring the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) population closer to the Zionist ideas. Rabbi Binyamin also edited "Moznaim" of the Writers Association and he was the first editor of the religious Zionist Movement's newspaper "Hazofe". After the State was established Rabbi Binyamin edited the monthly "Ner". He is also known for his support of vegetarianism and converts to Judaism. Rabbi Binyamin also wrote many books.
Dr. Mordechai Naor