Makor Rishon is an Israeli Hebrew-language daily newspaper established in 1997, known for its right-wing, religious Zionist perspective and oriented toward the religious Zionist and right-wing audience. It primarily serves an educated, liberal-conservative readership within Israel's Religious Zionist community, offering in-depth coverage of political, cultural, security, and religious topics. The newspaper emphasizes Zionist ideals intertwined with Orthodox Jewish values and has positioned itself as a voice for modern religious Zionism, often critiquing secular left-wing policies while supporting settlement expansion and national security measures. Published on weekdays with a prominent Shabbat edition featuring literary and opinion pieces, Makor Rishon maintains high journalistic standards and includes supplements like 'Musaf Shabbat' for broader cultural discourse. Headquartered in Jerusalem, the newspaper was initially founded by the Shalem Center, a conservative think tank, and later acquired by the Beseder Group in 2014, which also owns other media properties. Under editor-in-chief Amotz Asa-El, it has become a semi-major player in Israeli media, with a circulation of around 30,000-40,000 copies daily as of recent estimates. Makor Rishon has been influential in shaping public opinion among religious and right-leaning audiences, contributing to networks of influence in Israeli politics through its endorsements and coverage of figures like Naftali Bennett and the Jewish Home party. The outlet has faced controversies, including criticism for biased reporting during elections and allegations of promoting incitement against left-wing activists (e.g., 2015 accusations by media watchdogs). It has also been involved in legal disputes over content, such as a 2018 lawsuit by a former contributor alleging unfair dismissal, though outcomes favored the paper. Despite these, it remains a key platform for religious Zionist discourse, with no major criminal investigations documented against the organization itself.