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About
Amos Schocken, born on December 6, 1944, in Jerusalem, Israel, is a prominent Israeli businessman, media executive, and influential figure in Israeli media and liberal politics. He serves as the publisher and co-owner of Haaretz, one of Israel's leading daily newspapers known for its independent, liberal orientation and often critical journalism of government policies, and heads the Haaretz Group. As the son of Gershom Schocken, a distinguished journalist, editor, and former publisher of Haaretz who played a key role in shaping Israeli journalism post-independence, Amos has continued the family legacy in media ownership and editorial direction. Educated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he studied economics (earning a bachelor's degree) and law, Schocken entered the family business and assumed control of Haaretz following his father's death in 1990. Under his leadership, Haaretz has maintained its reputation as a liberal, independent outlet critical of government policies, advocating for progressive causes such as peace negotiations, civil liberties, and minority rights, while also providing in-depth reporting on Israeli society, politics, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Schocken co-owns the newspaper with the Leon family, and his tenure has seen expansions into digital media, international editions, and other operations within the Haaretz Group. He has been vocal in public discourse, often aligning with left-leaning politics and drawing criticism from right-wing factions for the paper's editorial stances, which some accuse of being anti-Zionist or overly critical of government policies. Known for his commitment to journalistic integrity and press freedom, Schocken has navigated controversies, including debates over Haaretz's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and internal staff disputes, solidifying his role as an influential figure in Israel's media and intellectual landscape.