In the landscape of Israeli journalism, few figures are as polarizing or persistent as Gideon Levy. Known for his searing critiques of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, Levy has spent decades as a senior columnist for the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz, earning both admiration and condemnation in equal measure.
To some, he is a voice of moral conscience—a truth-teller unafraid to confront national narratives. To others, he is a provocateur, accused of undermining Israel's legitimacy. But regardless of one's political leaning, it is impossible to discuss Israeli journalism or discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without encountering the formidable presence of Gideon Levy.
Early Life and Education
Gideon Levy was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1953 to Jewish parents who had fled Nazi-occupied Europe. His father, a native of Czechoslovakia, escaped the Holocaust in 1939 and never saw his parents again. These experiences shaped Levy’s outlook—imbuing him with a keen awareness of historical trauma, human suffering, and moral complexity.
Levy grew up in what he describes as a typical Zionist household, imbued with the belief that Israel was a just, embattled state surrounded by hostile enemies. Like most Israeli youth, he served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), working as a writer for the military radio station Galei Tzahal.
After completing his military service, he pursued studies in political science and international relations at Tel Aviv University, and also spent time studying in Germany. It wasn’t until later in his career that he would begin to question many of the assumptions on which he was raised.
Career at Haaretz
Levy joined Haaretz in 1982, initially as an editor for the newspaper’s editorial page. He soon became a columnist and member of the editorial board. But it was in the mid-1980s, during the outbreak of the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation), that Levy’s journalism took a sharp turn.
Traveling into the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Levy began to document the day-to-day realities of Palestinian life under occupation. His weekly column, often titled “Twilight Zone”, became a platform for exposing human rights abuses, military incursions, demolitions, checkpoints, and the psychological toll of occupation.
Unlike most Israeli journalists, who rarely ventured into the occupied territories except during military operations, Levy embedded himself deeply into the civilian realities of Palestinian towns and refugee camps. His interviews and firsthand reporting gave voice to people who were often invisible in mainstream Israeli media.
Themes and Views
Gideon Levy’s journalism is characterized by a deep moral outrage, driven by what he sees as Israel’s systematic dehumanization of Palestinians. His central thesis is simple but controversial: the occupation is indefensible, and Israel must be held accountable for its actions.
He frequently accuses Israeli society of willful blindness, arguing that many citizens prefer to ignore what is being done in their name in the occupied territories. He is sharply critical of not only right-wing policies but also of the Israeli left, which he views as complicit in the status quo.
“Israel is not a democracy. It is a democracy for Jews only.” – Gideon Levy
He has also called Israel an apartheid state, particularly after the 2018 Nation-State Law, which declared that the right to national self-determination in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people,” further alienating the Arab minority.
Levy is a fierce opponent of Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. He has referred to repeated bombings and blockades in Gaza as collective punishment, and often uses his column to highlight the suffering of Palestinian civilians during Israeli operations.
Public Reaction and Criticism
Levy’s writings have sparked intense backlash in Israel. He has been threatened, shouted down at public events, and even assigned bodyguards at times due to the level of hostility against him.
Critics argue that Levy:
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Ignores the context of terrorism, rocket fire, and security threats that Israel faces.
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Offers a one-sided view that demonizes Israel while downplaying the role of Hamas or other militant groups.
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Delegitimizes the state of Israel by using terms like "apartheid" and accusing the IDF of war crimes.
Even among his colleagues at Haaretz, there have been debates about whether his tone crosses from journalism into activism. Yet Levy defends his position, stating that his goal is to report truths others are unwilling to face.
He has said, on multiple occasions, that he loves Israel, but that loving a country means being willing to criticize it when it strays from justice.
International Recognition
While controversial at home, Gideon Levy is more widely celebrated internationally—particularly among human rights groups, academic circles, and pro-Palestinian organizations.
He has received several awards, including:
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Euro-Med Journalist Prize for Cultural Dialogue (2008)
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Ossietzky Prize from the Norwegian PEN Club (2012)
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Leipzig Prize for the Freedom and Future of the Media (2015)
His writings have been translated into multiple languages, and he has spoken at universities, conferences, and human rights forums around the world.
Not Just a Critic: A Vision for Peace
Despite his harsh criticisms, Gideon Levy is not a nihilist. He has often expressed hope that a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is possible—though he admits that such hope is dwindling as the situation on the ground worsens.
He supports a one-state solution based on equal rights for Jews and Palestinians alike. While this idea is controversial and unpopular in both Israeli and Palestinian mainstream politics, Levy argues that the two-state solution is dead, and clinging to it only prolongs the occupation.
His call is for equal rights, justice, and accountability—values he believes are foundational to any lasting peace.
Legacy and Impact
Whether one agrees with him or not, Gideon Levy has carved out a unique and fearless space in Israeli journalism. He is one of the few Israeli voices who consistently centers the Palestinian perspective in a public discourse dominated by security concerns and national narratives.
In a media landscape often shaped by political pressure and conformity, Levy reminds the public—and the world—that journalism is not only about reporting facts but also about bearing witness.
His legacy is likely to be one of moral provocation, forcing both Israelis and international observers to confront uncomfortable truths. And in doing so, he has upheld one of journalism’s most sacred duties: speaking truth to power.
Conclusion
Gideon Levy is more than just a journalist; he is a conscience within a society grappling with one of the most entrenched and painful conflicts in modern history. He challenges silence, provokes debate, and refuses to look away from injustice—regardless of the personal cost.
In an age of polarization and propaganda, voices like his—whether welcomed or reviled—are not just important; they are essential.
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