Arutz Sheva News, also known as Israel National News, is one of Israel’s most distinctive media platforms. For more than 35 years, Arutz Sheva News has served as a unique voice in the Israeli and global media world. It combines news coverage, commentary, podcasts, radio, and cultural reporting—and presents them in ways that many readers feel are not covered by mainstream outlets. With a focus rooted in Religious Zionist values and Israeli national perspectives, Arutz Sheva News continues to influence debates about Israel’s society, politics, and place in the world.
What Is Arutz Sheva News?
Arutz Sheva News means “Channel Seven” in Hebrew (ערוץ שבע). The organization was founded in 1988 by Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed and has grown into a major Israeli media network. Today, Arutz Sheva News operates a 24‑hour online news website in Hebrew, English, and Russian, alongside podcasts, live radio, radio archives, video programs, and commentary.
It also publishes B’Sheva, a weekly Hebrew‑language newspaper with one of the largest weekend circulations in Israel’s religious and national‑religious communities.
History: From Offshore Broadcasts to Digital Media
The origins of Arutz Sheva News are unusual and fascinating. In the late 1980s, Israel tightly controlled private radio broadcasting. To reach audiences, Arutz Sheva News began broadcasting from a ship named MV Eretz HaTzvi anchored off Israel’s coast. This made it possible to deliver radio news and commentary without a government license.
The station built popularity among listeners who wanted “alternative” news—especially voices representing Jewish values, politics, and national priorities. However, legal challenges eventually shut down the offshore broadcasts, and by the early 2000s, Arutz Sheva News transitioned fully to the internet and digital distribution.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Arutz Sheva News (Israel National News) |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed |
| Headquarters | Beit El, West Bank, Israel |
| Owner | HolyLand Holdings Ltd. |
| Languages | Hebrew, English, Russian, Arabic |
| Type | Online news, radio, podcasts, videos, weekly newspaper (B’Sheva) |
| Political Stance | Right‑center / Conservative / Religious Zionist |
| Website | www.israelnationalnews.com |
| Social Media | Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Where Is Arutz Sheva News Based?
The headquarters of Arutz Sheva News is in Beit El, located in the West Bank. This location connects the outlet to the broader Religious Zionist community and its cultural emphasis on Jewish life in historical homeland areas.
The media network is owned by HolyLand Holdings Ltd. and is tied to the Beit El yeshiva—a religious educational institution. Ya’akov Katz serves as Chairman and has been closely involved in shaping the network’s editorial direction.
Arutz Sheva News Content & Media Formats
One reason Arutz Sheva News remains relevant today is the variety of formats it offers:
News Articles – Daily reporting on Israeli politics, security, government decisions, international developments, Jewish cultural events, religion, and society in multiple languages.
Live Streaming Radio – The English‑language station Israel National Radio broadcasts talk news, music, Torah programming, interviews, and listener call‑ins around the world.
Podcasts – Long‑form audio shows on deep topics like geopolitics, religion, Jewish history, and modern Israeli life.
Videos and Online Broadcasts – Visual news segments, interviews, and documentaries on current events.
Weekly Newspaper – B’Sheva – B’Sheva is distributed free in many parts of Israel and reaches tens of thousands of households every week, with news, commentary, and features geared toward traditional and national‑religious readers.
In 2025, Arutz Sheva News expanded further by launching a new Arabic‑language news website intended to provide news, interviews, and reports for Arabic‑speaking audiences inside and outside Israel. This platform aims to share Israeli perspectives with a wider Middle Eastern audience.
Audience and Readership
The audience of Arutz Sheva News is diverse and global:
- Israeli and Jewish readers seeking news grounded in Jewish heritage and national concerns.
- Religious Zionists and national‑religious communities who value deep coverage of issues tied to religion, society, and settlement perspectives.
- International readers using the English and Russian editions to follow Israeli politics and world events from a more locally based perspective.
- Arabic‑language news consumers, particularly since the 2025 launch of the Arabic version.
The B’Sheva newspaper alone is widely read in Israel and ranked among the top weekend publications in terms of reach, particularly among religious families.
Editorial Stance and Perspective
Arutz Sheva News is known for its distinct editorial perspective. Media analysts classify it as right‑center or moderately conservative, with a strong pro‑Israeli, Zionist editorial tone. Its reporting often emphasizes Israeli governmental viewpoints, national security narratives, and community interests aligned with Religious Zionism.
It is considered a reliable source of facts, although some fact‑checking organizations note that its editorial voice often uses emotionally charged language and may reflect bias toward particular causes and political viewpoints. Readers are therefore encouraged to use Arutz Sheva News alongside other sources for a wider understanding of complex issues.
Challenges and Controversies
No major news organization is free from controversy, and Arutz Sheva News has seen its share:
Social Media Suspension – The English Facebook page of Arutz Sheva News was suspended after multiple reports from users during wartime coverage. This prevented new posts but did not remove the page entirely; the outlet continued posting news on platforms like X and Instagram.
Editorial Accuracy Concerns – Some assessments have noted occasional mixed factual reporting or bias within opinion pieces, which is not uncommon in politically engaged media platforms.
Despite these challenges, Arutz Sheva News remains a widely used source for many readers interested in Israeli perspectives often underrepresented in global mainstream coverage.
Why Arutz Sheva News Matters
There are several reasons Arutz Sheva News continues to matter in media today:
Broad Coverage – It provides direct reporting on Israeli government decisions, security events, and cultural developments.
Multilingual Journalism – By offering news in Hebrew, English, Russian, and now Arabic, Arutz Sheva News reaches readers across continents.
Alternative Viewpoints – Many readers value its perspectives, which can differ from Western mainstream media narratives, especially on Middle East conflict reporting.
Cultural and Religious Insight – It frequently covers topics related to Jewish life, Torah values, and Israeli society with an emphasis on community and tradition.
Because of this mix of content and viewpoint, Arutz Sheva News remains an essential source for those seeking layered, localized coverage of complex regional issues.
Conclusion
Arutz Sheva News is much more than a simple news website. It is a long‑standing Israeli media institution with a rich legacy, stretching back from offshore radio broadcasts to a fully modern digital news empire that includes radio, video, print, and multilingual platforms.
Whether you are seeking Israeli politics, Jewish cultural coverage, or perspectives that differ from Western media narratives, Arutz Sheva News offers a detailed window into how many Israelis see the world. Its continued expansion—such as the 2025 Arabic platform—highlights its commitment to reaching diverse audiences with news informed by history, religion, and national identity.
FAQs
Q1: What is Arutz Sheva News?
A: Arutz Sheva News, also called Israel National News, is an Israeli media outlet providing news, commentary, and cultural content in Hebrew, English, and Russian.
Q2: When was Arutz Sheva News founded?
A: Arutz Sheva News was founded in 1988 and started as an offshore radio station before transitioning to digital media.
Q3: Who owns Arutz Sheva News?
A: Arutz Sheva News is owned by HolyLand Holdings Ltd. and has historic ties to the Beit El yeshiva in Israel.
Q4: What type of content does Arutz Sheva News provide?
A: It provides news articles, videos, podcasts, live radio, and the B’Sheva weekly newspaper, covering Israeli politics, religion, culture, and international events.
Q5: What languages are available on Arutz Sheva News?
A: Arutz Sheva News publishes content in Hebrew, English, Russian, and recently Arabic, making it accessible to a global audience.
