Haggai Matar

Haggai Matar is an award-winning Israeli journalist and political activist, in addition to serving as the executive director of “972 – Advancement of Citizen Journalism,” the nonprofit that publishes +972 Magazine.

Recent Articles

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Falafel: A Tasty and Versatile Middle Eastern Delight

A delectable Middle Eastern delight loved worldwide for its crispy exterior, flavorful interior, and versatility

By Haggai Matar, Edo Konrad and Joseph Dana May 22, 2023

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By Natasha Roth-Rowland, +972 Magazine, Edo Konrad and Haggai Matar November 21, 2019

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Tel Aviv as part of the global climate strike, September 27, 2019. (Oren Ziv)

PHOTOS: Thousands protest in Tel Aviv as part of Global Climate Strike

Thousands of Israelis march through central Tel Aviv demanding the government join the U.K., Ireland, France, and Canada in declaring a climate emergency. By Haggai Matar and Oren Ziv Thousands of people marched in central Tel Aviv as part of the global climate strike on Friday, demanding that the government declare a climate emergency. The…

By Haggai Matar September 27, 2019

A giant portrait of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a protest against the Jewish Nation-State Law, Tel Aviv, July 30, 2018. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

The end of the Netanyahu era doesn’t mean the end of the occupation

If Netanyahu is replaced, things might actually get worse for Palestinians. As election results started pouring in Tuesday night, one could hear a sigh of relief – and even some cries of joy – among Israelis who identify with the center-left. According to near-final results, the right absorbed a serious blow. Its voter intimidation campaign failed to deter Palestinian…

By Haggai Matar September 18, 2019

An Israeli police officer stands alongside a Shin Bet officer in a scene from HBO's 'Our Boys' (HBO)

Why HBO’s ‘Our Boys’ is a victory for Israeli hasbara

By calling to boycott HBO’s ‘Our Boys,’ Prime Minister Netanyahu misses the fact that the series ends up erasing the occupation’s greatest iniquities while supporting the dominant Israeli narrative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy in both Israel and across the world late last week when he published a post on his official Facebook page…

By Haggai Matar September 2, 2019

Will Israel’s treatment of Omar and Tlaib finally wake Democrats up?

Now that Israel has banned entry to Democratic Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, will Democrats affirm the right to boycott and hold Israel’s feet to the fire? Five takeaways. 1. Don’t let the headlines fool you: neither Ilhan Omar nor Rashida Tlaib had any intention of visiting Israel when they announced their trip to the region.…

By Haggai Matar August 15, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address their supporters as the results of the Israeli general elections are announced, at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, on April 09, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Five reasons why voting for Netanyahu was a rational choice for Jewish Israelis

Yes, Netanyahu is facing corruption probes and is practically annexing the West Bank. But for many Jewish Israelis, he has also provided relative security, a better economy, and growing international legitimacy — which makes the unknown alternative much worse. Benjamin Netanyahu won his fifth election campaign Tuesday, making him Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. Most Israeli citizens, and…

By Haggai Matar April 12, 2019

A Palestinian citizen of Israel casts her vote in the 2019 election, Taybeh, central Israel, April 9, 2019. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Likud attempts to intimidate Palestinian voters with hidden ballot cams

Poll workers from the Likud party are using hidden cameras to record Palestinian voters as they head to the polls on Election Day. The goal? To intimidate Arab citizens and make sure they stay home. Members of the ruling Likud party placed at least 1,200 hidden cameras on poll workers across Palestinian towns and villages in Israel…

By Haggai Matar April 9, 2019

Israeli security forces assess the damage to a home in central Israel that was destroyed by a rocket fired overnight from Gaza, Mishmarot, March 25, 2019. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

This doesn’t need to happen: Another pre-election war on Gaza

We need leaders who can talk about ending the siege, about ending the occupation, about equality, freedom, and security as the only solution for both Israelis and Palestinians. By Haggai Matar and Oren Ziv The rocket fired from Gaza that destroyed a home and wounded seven people in central Israel Monday morning, took Israelis by…

By Haggai Matar March 25, 2019

An Israeli soldier attempts to block the view of a photographer as soldiers body search Palestinian men in the West Bank city of Hebron on June 22, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

A spike in censorship: Israel censored on average one news piece a day in 2018

The IDF Censor prohibited the publication of more news reports last year than in almost any other year this decade. While fewer articles were submitted for review than in previous years, the percentage of stories that were partially or fully censored was significantly higher. Israel’s military censor prohibited the publication of 363 news articles in 2018,…

By Haggai Matar March 15, 2019