Hundreds pay their final respects to Haaretz reporter Ze'ev Schiff
Schiff, Haaretz journalist for 50 years, died Tuesday at age 74; described as 'most respected military analyst in Israel.'
By Amir Oren and Amos HarelHundreds of friends and family members paid their final respects to military commentator and Haaretz defense editor Ze'ev Schiff, who was laid to rest Wednesday at the Kiryat Shaul cemetery in Tel Aviv. He died Tuesday night in Tel Aviv at the age of 74.
To his many friends, Schiff was known as Wolfy. To his readers in Israel and the world, he was a brand name, a guarantee for reliable information and authoritative analysis. More than anything else, Schiff was the quintessential Israeli military correspondent.
Remembering him Tuesday night, former defense minister Moshe Arens said: "Not on the right or the left, because he was above political disputes, objective as only he knew how to be. Nor among the many writers and analysts and the Israeli press. As professional and sharp-eyed as they come, he was superior to them all. His articles were read by statesmen and politicians, generals and reservists, and they knew that he wrote the stark truth and how to listen to his views."
"He never dealt with 'stories,' but with problems. He wasn't too concerned with the headline but rather with the bottom line," Schiff's close friend and senior analyst of Arab affairs, Ehud Yaari, eulogized.
Yaari, who in 1984 co-authored a book on Israel's first Lebanon War with Schiff, said that Schiff wrote "truthful and corroborated words about the enemy and about us."
"You were always one, two or three steps ahead, applying your sharpened scalpel to reveal what the future had in store... You never were anybody's mail boy, and you never bent the truth so that it would fit any sort of doctrine," Yaari concluded.
Newly appointed Defense Minister Ehud Barak called Schiff "a true Israeli patriot, the epitome of a journalist wielding a sharpened pen, proud of the Israeli Defense Forces, of its commanders and troops."
Likud Chair Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Schiff wrote with distinct integrity and commitment to Israel's security. Each time we spoke, I came to appreciate his personal and professional decency, as well as his immense knowledge and pleasant manners," Netanyahu said.
Schiff's widow, Sarah, told the crowd: "I don't know what's going on here. Why must I bid Wolfy good-bye after all those years we spent together? We had been together for 60 years, since childhood to this day. It was a beautiful partnership that has produced a beautiful family, children and grandchildren... I will have good and beautiful memories. Maybe they will help me get over the loss."
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told Israel Radio on Wednesday: "Ze`ev Schiff will be missed by us all. His name has been associated with the word 'defense' for dozens of years. I had the honor of meeting him, and he was a wonderful interlocutor."
Described by BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds as "the most respected military analyst in Israel," Schiff wrote numerous books on Israeli defense issues including "A History of the Israeli Army," "Fedayeen," "Entebbe Rescue," "A Lexicon of the Israeli Army and Defense," "The Year of the Dove," and "La Guerre Israelo-Arabe."
Among the others who paid their respects were Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, Minister Isaac Herzog and former Mossad head Ephraim Halevi. Haaretz editor-in-chief David Landau and publisher Amos Schocken also attended the funeral, along with many other journalists and media figures.
The Arab media, which regarded Schiff with great esteem, reported on his passing at length Wednesday. "He passed away in Tel Aviv Tuesday, in a quite manner which is entirely uncharacteristic of the controversial and fascinating nature of his articles on military and defense issues," the Saudi owned news-site Elaph reported.
Schiff's books have been published in Israel, the United States, and France, and have been translated into several languages, including Arabic and Russian.
Schiff also contributed articles to Foreign Policy, National Interest, Middle East Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post.
Schiff served as a military correspondent in Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Cyprus and Ethiopia. He won a number of journalism prizes, including the Sokolov Journalism Prize in 1975 for his book "October Earthquake and the Yom Kippur War." "Intifada," which he co-authored with Ehud Ya'ari, became an international bestseller after being published in 1990.
Born in France in 1933, Schiff immigrated to Israel with his family in 1935. He served as an intelligence officer in the IDF, studied Middle East affairs and military history at Tel Aviv University, and joined the Haaretz staff in 1955.
He became a senior associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1984. For many years, he was chairman of the Military Writers Association in Israel. He was also a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Schiff was also survived by his two sons, Eyal and Hadar.
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Haaretz defense editor Ze'ev Schiff, 1933-2007. (Alon Ron) |
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My condolences to Zeev's family. I always read his columns and was greatly influenced by his clear thougths. Haartez is one of the best papers and Zeev was one of its foremost stars.
born into a higher realm of enlightenment along a path of delight by his maker taken rewarded for his labor of love and truth his open minded insight and intelligence the integrity and ideals he's never forsaken and the love for israel expressed by his views my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Zeev Schiff was a clear voice of reason and clarity in the field of military journalism. His analysis was spot on all the time. On behalf of my family who all served in the IDF and my younger son who is NYPD, I wish to send condolences to all of the Schiff family on their loss. G-d bless a great Jewish patriot.
Haaretz Journalists: please learn from Ze'ev Schiff's professional approach and way of writing. There is a lot to be learnt.
I very much enjoyed reading Schiff's columns - they were a welcome relief in a newspaper filled with typical lefty jewish pap and self-hatred . I often wondered what Schiff thought of numnuts like Levy, Haas, Eldar, etc.
I missed the news yesterday, and am appalled to read this now. I will miss Ze'ev's analyses immensely; his cool-headed reports were the only way to know what was really going down in Israel. My condolences to Ze'ev Schiff's family, his friends, and his colleagues at Ha'aretz. And also to his wider circle - his readers.
I can't believe it.I will miss him as many, many others will do.:( a great loss. my condolences
RIP
rest in peace zeev schif you were a man of great intelligence and qualities. all my thoughts are going toward your family.
Seing his name on an article meant I read it extra carefully. I`l miss his writing.
To read Ze'ev article was a great plaisure for me. Really, I will miss his anlysis and writing style. My sincere condolences.
ze'ev was a role model for how one shouldlive and act-always professional-always human-always caring.Uniquely wise and sober-always dependable.We shared friendly times together-not enough-but deeply felt.May his family be strengthened by his memory and may we all think of him as we act ourselves.With great sympathy
Haaretz has lost its finest reporter.
A mild mannered man, hiding a sharp analytical mind. We will miss you, Zeev. Rest in Peace, Amen.
I was very saddened to hear of Mr. Schiff's death. I have come to rely on his sober and insightful analysis over the years and have used his articles in many of my classes. I will miss his voice. His passing leaves a hole I doubt anyone else can fill.
Ye'hei zochro baruch.
For many years I have read the columns in Ha'aretz of Zeev Schiff and always found his columns were the only non-biased, non-partisan straightforward analysis of the situation in Israel. It was a always a special treat for me to find his column available when I would read Ha'Aretz online. Too many columnists color their opinions from a left wing or right wing perspective. Mr. Schiff always had a clear, cogent analysis devoid of any political parties opinions. He will be sorely missed not only by readers but by those in charge of the IDF and Israeli governments from all sides of the political roundtable.
I feel very saddened by death of such an extraordinary journalist as Ze'ev Schiff. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. I will miss his deep analyses and human approach to the Middle East affairs.
My condolences. What a loss! I read "A History of the Israeli Army" and have always appreciated his experience and knowledge. He was BIG. I wish he could have lived more and continue writing.
I have never seen this forum so united in expressing respect and admiration. This shows that indeed Zeev Schiff was a great man, a great analyst and he will be missed by many. May God bless his memory.
I always looked out for Zeev's writings. He gave clear analysis and could see through the fog. Malcolm
you are a true man indeed and i find it hard to replace u rest in peace cousin
Condolences to his family and to the Haaretz team.
May he rest in peace, Z"L
Sad news for myself. I have been reading his writing for 40 years. I have several of his books one for most of those 40 years. I will miss his lucid approach and well informed sources.
my condolences go out to his familly, a truly great writer has been lost. two of my favourite Israeli authors have died within two months of each other, I only hope there are many Israelis coming up who can fill their sizable shoes
He was an honorable person. His memory will stay with us. I send my heart felt condolences to his family and to Haaretz.
Condolences to the Schiff family and Haaretz. It's a painful loss.
I am so sorry that Ze'ev Schiff has left us, what a pity, I'm very very sad. Why are people like Mr. Schiff leaving this world so early, there are so many idiots who could just leave this earth but as my 16 year old daughter told me: "God is taking the good people to him because hell is here !!"
a brilliant mind, a great loss - my prayers go out to his family and friends.
my condolences to his family and friends, he was an true insider on israeli politics. he will be missed. may God bless his memory and his soul.
Condolences;I will miss him
With Zeev's passing we have lost a unique voice of reason and extraordinary wisdom - and special and irreplaceable friend of those working for peace. He is already missed terribly.
I remember interviewing Mr. Schiff in August 2005, he was very straight to the point and very intelligent. He will be missed by all of us.
This man was courageous and fair in all his analysis/writings. If only we had more of his caliber (at both sides of the conflict), we would have been living together in peace since a long time. GOD Bless His Soul!! G
The passing of Ze'ev Schiff is another reminder that 'tempus fugit'. I remember him and co-writer Ehud Ya'ari writing their book on the 1982 Lebanon war, which gave such a good insight into Israeli political and military thinking at the time. Of course his was a Zionist orientation and I would frequently not agree with things he wrote. But he was a very good journalist giving truthful accounts based on the available knowledge, an eminently reliable source and as such a respectable man. I am sorry that we won't see his writings any more and I offer my condolences to his family.
Condolences to the Schiff family. His words of wisdom will be missed in Israel and here in the USA.
"Not on the right or the left, because he was above political disputes, objective as only he knew how to be. Nor among the many writers and analysts and the Israeli press. As professional and sharp-eyed as they come, he was superior to them all. His articles were read by statesmen and politicians, generals and reservists, and they knew that he wrote the stark truth and how to listen to his views"
"statesmen and politicians, generals and reservists...knew that he wrote the stark truth and how to listen to his views." (Arens) That's why Schiff was tops. That's why there are so few tops around. Because truth is rare: seeing so much lying around, the rare truth stands out. The difference is easy to see...and appreciate.
Always a sharp analytical and original mind, he is missed.
Reading Schiff was indeed intellectually and emotionally challenging. Although I may have occasionally disagreed with his articles, I was always forced to thorougly think about the wording before throwing in my two pennies worth here.
My condolences to Ze'ev Schiff's family and the Ha'aretz editorial team. I have always looked forward to his analysis and insightful views. Rest in peace.
Learned with a shock and sadness about passing of Zeev Schiff. He was a supremely competent and objective military correspondent and writer. Sincere condolences to his family. Great loss to us all.
The best analysis in the middle east on security issues my condolences
It was really shocking to learn about the untimely death of a great man whom I was waiting for his objective editorials and comments on daily basis. As a regular reader for Mr. Schiff editorials, I will miss that great man's pen that he respected. To his family and to Haaretz family as a palestinian in exile , I extend my cordial condolences. Ze'ev Schiff will remain a lighthouse for all those writers who are wondering in the ocean to anchor their boats on the shores of respected journalism. Such a loss is irreparable and his memories are indeliable.
I didn't realize he had already that old, 74 years old? He was so full of live, his article was so energetic. So long, buddy.
My sincere condolences to the Shiff family, Haaretz, and all of his readers. What a great loss! In sadness, Fanny Korn.
It is a big Loss. He was a real professional, when you read all others in Israel nowadays, it is real joke; most of them are not objective. Zeev never commented and took one side, or denigrated someone. We will miss him. My sincere condolences to his family.
...for his mourning family and friends.
One of the finest journalists I have ever known - and one of the most delightful colleagues. A terrible loss at a time when the Mideast especially needs clear analysis. Richard Z. Chesnoff, columnist, NY Daily News
I believe that Mr. Schiff was the best analyst of military affairs that the country had.
May G-d given comfort to his family.
My sincere condolences to Mr. Schiff's family. What struck me most, whilst reading this article and the ensuing Talkback was that for a change, the people writing in have shown compassion, kindness, appreciation and respect. These are the basic qualities which can assist in bringing on a monumental change of calm and contentment into a world that lacks so much of it. May Zeev Schiff rest in Peace.
Peace be upon him and all the Jewish People everywhere. I submit myself to you.
A brilliant analyst. A great writer. My sincere condolences.
I feel a deep sense of loss at the untimely passing of this accurate and reliable man. His daily article, fair and balanced, was the first to be sought out, before any other in Ha'aretz. Deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family.
I Remember him from TV brodcasts since the First Gulf War, on Erev Hadash - being a newcomer, I immediately felt that this is THE source, he was so reliable - it was obvious. He'll be missing.
When we lose an Israeli figure such as Ze'ev Schiff, untimely, it's really a deeper loss, for Israel and Jews in the Diaspora. His contribution to the pages of Haaretz will be greatly missed.
I wish to express my condolences to his family. Whenever a significant event happened in the Middle East, I wanted to know what Ze'ev Schiff had to say, because it was inevitably inciteful. I will miss him.
All who love Israel and truth will miss Ze'ev Schiff, a great thinker, a great friend, and a great man
Zeev, where are now when we need you most!! R.I.P.
He will truly be missed....
I will miss his point of view which I read whether I agreed or not. To his family and friends I say: Ze'ev Schiff lived a full and useful life.
His honesty and experience can't be replaced. May he rest in etrnal peace. My condolences to his family and Haaretz
Our heartful condolences go out to the Schiff family. He and his writings will be missed. Saline and Johnny Weintraub
Very saddened at this news. Schiff was a brave man, and a brilliant analyst. May he live on through his legacy, and may his grieving friends and family find peace.
I guess we expect four score and ten these days so it seems too soon for him to go. He was quite good.
A tremendous loss, first of course for his family,Haaretz, Israel and his many readers all over the world. He was a beacon light for us and now we are left in the dark.
Best,most reliable correspondent I've read Uzi Beynamin apart,there's no-one to touch him
He might have been.
He was the best. We'll miss him.
Zeev Schiff's unfailing objectivity and immense knowledge will be hard to replace. It is difficult to imagine that never again shall I see his name at the head of an article. May he rest in peace.
Sorry. We have lost a giant. Where is our next Zeev Schiff? Who want to be a worthy Palestinian Schiff? With his honesty?
I haven't had the chance to read the article by your reporters, I want to take my time to read it. However, as soon as I saw the name, I felt I had to acknowledge Mr. Schiff's passing. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion. Yes, his name will always be synonimous with that of Haaretz, which I started reading, here in Montreal's Jewish Public Library, both printed and on-line, in English, unfortunately! Certainly this paper has a lot to write about, and Zeev Schiff is certainly one of the reporters whose opinions I have been following since then. What a kind face! What incisive eyes! May he intercede for us in Heaven. B.H.
My thoughts are with him and his loved ones. May good spirits accompany him to his new desk. Respectfully - JJ
towards Qassams. 'The IDF should fire towards their source,no matter if they'e placed among pal civilians' Pity the IDF has a divergent opinion on that,heading his advice would be a worthy commemoration of him
He looks like a lovely man and I recall reading some of his reports. He was very sharp and insightful. I hope other Harretz writers have learned well from him and thus will carry on his fine tradition of scholarship in journalism. May He Rest in Peace, Dutch
Reading the books of Zeev Schiff gave many valuable insights into the military situation of Israel and the entire ME. Although I could not always agree with his political positions, his military informations were reliable and professional. He was respected world wide. To be unable to see his weekly comments with Haaretz in the future is an immense loss.
In addition to his superb, concise analysis of military events affecting Israel, he was able to show us, directly or indirectly, the "light at the end of the tunnel". He spared no criticism of Zahal or the government and its ego-driven prima donnas and in the process he helped Eretz Israel. We will miss Wolfy...
Even if I didn't always agree with his positions one could feel that he only had the best in mind for both parties of the conflict.
Even though most of the time I disagree with Haaretz's editorials and reporting, Zeev Schiff was a lucid, balanced military correspondent that, as Moshe Arens rightly notes, rose above partisan obligations. His sober, factual reporting will be sorely missed and it is unlikely that Haaretz will find someone of his caliber to step in.
He was easily the best defence writer for Haaretz. -B-
Though I have criticized Haaretz's way of reporting in the past, I offer my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Mr Schiff's familiy, to Haaretz and to Israel.