Paper sold to hardliner

TEL AVIV. The owner of Israel's third-largest daily has agreed to sell the money-bleeding newspaper to the publisher of a hardline religious publication.

By InvestSMART · 11 Sep 2012

By InvestSMART ·
11 Sep 2012

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TEL AVIV. The owner of Israel's third-largest daily has agreed to sell the money-bleeding newspaper to the publisher of a hardline religious publication.

It is not clear whether Maariv's new publisher, Shlomo Ben-Tzvi, will bring the newspaper in line with his hawkish Makor Rishon daily.

Maariv, owned by cash-strapped Israeli businessman Nochi Dankner, said only 300 to 400 of the paper's 2000 employees will be kept on after the $US21 million ($A20.2 million) deal is complete.

Maariv, published since 1948, is third in readership behind Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom, a free daily supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, funded by Jewish-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the deal announced for the sale of Maariv newspaper?

According to the article, the owner of Maariv has agreed to sell the money-bleeding daily to the publisher of a hardline religious publication. The reported price for the transaction is US$21 million (A$20.2 million).

Who is buying Maariv and what other publication does he publish?

The buyer named in the article is Shlomo Ben-Tzvi, the publisher of the hawkish religious daily Makor Rishon. The article describes him as the publisher of a hardline religious publication.

Will Maariv’s editorial line change under the new publisher Shlomo Ben-Tzvi?

The article says it is not clear whether Shlomo Ben-Tzvi will bring Maariv in line with his hawkish Makor Rishon daily. No definitive change to the paper’s editorial line is reported.

How many Maariv employees will be kept after the sale?

Maariv said only 300 to 400 of the paper’s roughly 2,000 employees will be kept on after the deal is complete, indicating significant staff reductions.

Who owned Maariv before the sale and what is their financial situation?

Before the sale, Maariv was owned by Israeli businessman Nochi Dankner. The article describes him as cash‑strapped.

How long has Maariv been published and where does it rank in Israeli readership?

Maariv has been published since 1948. The article reports it is third in readership, behind Yediot Ahronot and the free daily Israel Hayom.

What is Israel Hayom and who funds it, according to the article?

The article describes Israel Hayom as a free daily that is supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and is funded by Jewish‑American billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

What should everyday investors watch for following the Maariv sale announcement?

The article highlights a few investor-relevant facts: a low sale price (US$21 million), major staff cuts (only 300–400 of 2,000 employees retained), and a buyer associated with a hawkish religious title. These points suggest investors may want to monitor potential editorial shifts, the broader consolidation of Israeli media ownership, and any financial or regulatory developments the article did not detail.