Ran Baratz, born in 1973, is an Israeli philosophy lecturer and media figure. He earned a PhD in philosophy from Bar-Ilan University and has taught at institutions including Orot Israel College of Education. Baratz founded and serves as the academic director of Midrasha HaMaaravit, an institute dedicated to the study of Western philosophy and thought. He has been active in Israeli media as an opinion journalist and columnist for outlets like Israel Hayom, and previously served as editor-in-chief of a publication. Known for his right-wing nationalist views, advocacy for Zionist ideology, and criticism of left-wing media and political opponents, Baratz served as head of public diplomacy in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. In November 2022, he was appointed to lead the Prime Minister's Office Council on Public Diplomacy (Hasbara), focusing on countering international criticism of Israel, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and judicial reform protests. He resigned from this position in January 2024 amid controversies, including plagiarism allegations in his academic work and criticism over his handling of public diplomacy efforts.