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Ze'ev Schiff: A Respected Israeli Journalist and Military Correspondent

Ze'ev Schiff was born on July 1, 1932, in Lille, France, to a family that later moved to Mandatory Palestine with him in 1935. He studied Middle Eastern affairs and military history at Tel Aviv University before joining the staff of Haaretz, Israel's leading daily newspaper, in 1955. Over the course of his nearly five-decade tenure, Schiff became one of the most respected military correspondents in the world.

Schiff's extensive knowledge of the region was evident in his work as a correspondent for various international newspapers and publications. He covered numerous conflicts, including the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanon War, and the Intifada, often providing unique insights into the complexities of these events. His expertise extended beyond Israel's borders, with assignments in Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Cyprus, and Ethiopia.

Despite his reputation as a sharp critic of Israeli military actions, Schiff was also widely respected for his superior knowledge and analysis. He was one of the first Israelis to point out Ariel Sharon's shared responsibility in the Sabra and Shatila massacres in 1982. This recognition underscored Schiff's commitment to holding those in power accountable.

Schiff published numerous books on security issues in the Middle East, including "Israel's Lebanon War" (co-authored with Ehud Ya'ari), "A History of the Israeli Army: 1874 to the Present," and his influential book on the first Palestinian Intifada. The latter became an international bestseller.

Throughout his career, Schiff received numerous awards for his work, including the Sokolov Journalism Prize, the Amos Lev Prize, and the Sarah Reichenstein Prize. He was also a senior associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1984 and served as chairman of the Military Writers Association.

Schiff passed away on June 19, 2007, due to heart disease. His legacy as one of Israel's most respected journalists and military correspondents continues to be celebrated by scholars and policymakers alike.