הפוסט Website 'Maakav' Provides Daily News in 5 Languages הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

In the Israeli media landscape, which is sometimes turbulent and biased, the news site "Maakav" stands out with its unique approach to responsible and balanced journalism. The site operates in a competitive environment, alongside major players like Mako, but manages to establish a significant place in public consciousness thanks to its unique characteristics and commitment to quality.

"Maakav" provides news from Israel and around the world while adhering to the core values of authentic journalism. "Truth and only truth" – this is the slogan that guides the site's team of journalists, expressed in actions and not just words. A prominent uniqueness of the site is its immediate publication in 4 different languages, a feature that expands its target audience beyond Israel's borders and explains some of the international popularity it is gaining.

In an era of "fake news" and propaganda on social networks, "Maakav" insists on systematic fact-checking. Every piece of information undergoes a verification process before publication, a process that gives readers confidence in the reliability of the information. This is an approach that is becoming rare in the contemporary media landscape, as most sites compete on the speed of news publication, sometimes at the expense of accuracy.

This yields great benefit, as evidenced by the site's traffic data, which amounts to about 858,961 visits in the last month, as of 12.03.2025.

What distinguishes "Maakav" is the commitment to give a platform to all sides in every news story. While many news sites tend to present one dominant narrative, "Maakav" is careful to bring the variety of relevant opinions and positions. This approach allows readers to get a complete and balanced picture, and to form an independent opinion based on the full range of facts and perspectives.

Another area in which "Maakav" invests significant resources is journalistic investigations. While many news sites focus on ongoing reporting, "Maakav" invests in deep journalistic work and reveals information that is not accessible otherwise. These investigations are published simultaneously in all four languages in which the site operates, allowing global exposure to topics that often have local significance.

The site extensively covers local and international news, from politics to sports, from economy to culture. In all these areas, high standards of reliability and balance are maintained. "Maakav" is also not afraid to deal with sensitive and complex issues, but does so with sensitivity and respect for all parties involved.

"Maakav's" approach to journalism reflects the understanding that the role of media in a democratic society is not only to report, but also to check, investigate, and present the facts in a way that allows the public to be informed. This is a concept that returns journalism to its roots as the "watchdog of democracy."

The data speaks for itself: Google Analytics data reveals that in the last month alone (as of 12.03.2025), "Maakav" recorded almost 860,000 visits. The vast majority – about 600,047 visits (about 70%) – came from Israel, but the site also receives significant exposure in other countries. In the United States, 70,001 visits were recorded, in Britain 45,058, in the Philippines 30,458, in India 22,977, in Canada 22,698, in France 19,036, and in Australia 18,030. It's also interesting to note the 7,401 visits from South Africa, 6,583 from Pakistan, and 6,553 from Palestine.

Significant visits were also recorded from South Africa (2,540), from unidentified areas (1,651), from Germany (1,425), from Italy (959), from the Netherlands (773), from Palestine again (753), from Australia (730), from Spain (661), and from Malaysia (627). This international exposure highlights the benefit of publishing content in four languages, and turns the site into an information bridge between Israel and communities around the world.

Not only on the site itself does "Maakav" enjoy significant visibility. Facebook social network data indicates that the brand page attracts a quarter of a million visitors, with a fascinating distribution of the intended target audience. In terms of gender, 55% of followers are women and 45% are men, while in terms of age, followers spread across the range between 18 and 65+, with a significant concentration in the ages of 25-45.

In terms of countries of origin of Facebook followers, the numbers reflect an interesting geographical distribution: 68.94% from Israel, 19.49% from Ukraine, 3.59% from the United States, 1.92% from Indonesia, 1.36% from Germany, 1.18% from Poland, 1.11% from the Czech Republic, 1.05% from Italy, 0.74% from Canada, and 0.62% from Egypt. This data, updated as of 13.03.2025 and representing the last 28 days, provides a picture of the global spread of the readership.

These numbers are the result of "Maakav's" commitment to journalistic principles of truth, accuracy, and balance, along with the ability to make content accessible in a variety of languages. In a world where it's easy to get carried away with sensations and rumors, "Maakav" has chosen to insist on fact-checking, giving a platform to all sides, and presenting the news in a balanced and responsible manner.

The challenges facing responsible journalism in the digital age are enormous, particularly for a media venture of the scale of "Maakav" competing against media conglomerates with extensive resources. However, "Maakav" proves that by focusing on unique advantages – such as publishing in four languages, quality journalistic investigations, and commitment to balance – it is possible to take a significant position in the saturated media market.

In an era of polarization and extremes, "Maakav" demonstrates how a media outlet can serve the public by providing accurate and reliable information, while giving a platform to all opinions. While it is not the most extensive or leading in its field, its focus on quality, diversity, and international accessibility makes it a unique and important factor in the Israeli media landscape, with an influence that is gradually expanding even to the international arena.

הפוסט Israel News Website – 'Maakav': 24/7 Reports from Israel and Around the World הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Dim Amor

This move marks the peak of growing tensions between the two countries following Norway's positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared on the social network X on August 8:
"Today I ordered the revocation of diplomatic status for 8 Norwegian diplomats in Israel who were involved in Palestinian Authority affairs.

Instead of fighting Palestinian terrorism after October 7 and supporting Israel in its war against the Iranian axis of evil, Norway chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists by recognizing a Palestinian state. But they didn't stop there – they also joined the baseless lawsuit against us at the International Criminal Court, requesting arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Norway has adopted a unilateral policy on the Palestinian issue and therefore will be excluded from any involvement in it.
Those who attack us and adopt unilateral policies against us will pay a price."

Katz accused Norway of choosing to "reward Hamas murderers and rapists by recognizing a Palestinian state" instead of supporting Israel in its fight against terrorism.

In response, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed his strong protest against the Israeli move.
In a press statement, Eide said:

"This is an extreme step that primarily affects our ability to assist the Palestinian population. It once again shows that the Netanyahu government is actively working against the two-state solution.

Norway is and always will be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people. At the same time, Norway has been clear in its criticism of the occupation, the way the war in Gaza has been conducted, and the suffering caused to the Palestinian civilian population. Today's decision will have implications for our relations with the Netanyahu government.
We are now considering what steps Norway will take to respond to the situation that the Netanyahu government has now created.

It is important for all countries that diplomatic channels remain open and well-functioning, especially when the situation in the region is as serious as it is now. Interfering with diplomats in their work is a serious matter.
Regardless of this decision, Norway's main priority is to work for peace and a diplomatic solution to conflicts in the Middle East."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry expanded on its position in an official statement on August 11, claiming that "the Norwegian government's policy towards Israel, since the brutal attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis and others against Israel, is extreme, one-sided and anti-Israeli." The ministry emphasized that Norway "has lost Israel's trust and its special role since the Oslo Accords."

The current crisis comes against the backdrop of a series of disputes between the two countries. Israel accuses Norway of supporting legal proceedings against it at the International Criminal Court (ICC), recognizing a Palestinian state, and refusing to declare Hamas a terrorist organization. On the other hand, Norway claims it is acting in accordance with the principles of international law and for the promotion of a two-state solution.

The crisis could adversely affect peace efforts in the region. Norway played a key role in the Oslo process and in later mediation efforts. Its removal from the scene could reduce opportunities for dialogue between the parties.

However, Israel is signaling to the international community that it will not accept unilateral intervention in the conflict. This may encourage other countries to adopt a more balanced approach.

הפוסט Crisis: Norway Claims – Israel Blocks Its Activities in Palestine הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

"Since the beginning of the war, the terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been systematically exploiting the civilian population and infrastructure in Gaza for terrorist activities against the State of Israel".

According to various intelligence indicators, there is a high probability that the commander of the Central Camps Brigade of the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ashraf Joudah, was in the military headquarters at the 'Al-Taba'in' school that was attacked. It is not yet clear if he was injured in the attack.

Transcript:

"Since the beginning of the war, the terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been systematically exploiting the civilian population and infrastructure in Gaza for terrorist activities against the State of Israel.

They do this through a massive network of underground tunnels, passing beneath villages, hospitals, mosques, schools, and UN facilities, used by terrorists to command attacks, store weaponry, and hold Israeli hostages.

This includes hospitals throughout the Gaza Strip, which Hamas and Islamic Jihad have repeatedly infiltrated and used for military purposes, and in which terrorist tunnel shafts have been found.

In recent months, Hamas has focused on exploiting school buildings, often occupied by civilians, using them as military facilities, command and control centers, for weapons storage, and to carry out terrorist activities.

Over the past few weeks, our intelligence has closely monitored an active military facility of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, where about 24 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives were operating. We have published today the names of 19 of the terrorists who operated in this compound.

We also have intelligence indicators that the terrorist Ashraf Joudah, commander of the Central Camps Brigade of Islamic Jihad, was in the compound.

This military facility was embedded within the 'Al-Taba'in' school building in Gaza City.

After receiving clear intelligence about the threat posed by the terrorists, and in accordance with international law, we took many steps to minimize the risk to civilians, including using aerial surveillance before the attack and choosing very precise munitions to prevent civilian casualties.

Earlier this morning, the IDF carried out a precise strike against the terrorists in one specific building in the compound, in an area where, according to our intelligence, no women and children were present.

In the video we released today, one can see that the compound is still intact, and there are no significant craters or damage to the main structure in the compound.

This pattern of systematic exploitation of schools for military activity by Hamas and Islamic Jihad endangers both Gazan civilians and Israeli civilians and should be condemned by the international community.

Following the strike, the Government Media Office in Gaza, managed by Hamas, published unverified casualty counts – which have since been shared worldwide.

These figures do not distinguish between terrorists and civilians and do not match the information in the IDF's possession.

Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7th massacre, when Hamas brutally slaughtered innocent Israelis and led to this war, and the man who was appointed last week as Hamas's 'political leader', himself declared that: 'A higher number of Gazan casualties serves Hamas's war objectives'.

Israel sees civilian casualties as a tragedy, while Hamas sees civilian casualties as a strategy.

The IDF will continue to operate in accordance with international law, aiming to dismantle Hamas's military capabilities and to bring home all 115 of our hostages – men, women, children, and elderly, who have been held in Gaza for over 300 days, under horrific conditions. We are working to create the conditions to bring them home.

We call on the international community to do everything in their power to realize this goal."

Photo: IDF

הפוסט IDF: Terrorist Organizations Exploit Civilians and Infrastructure in Gaza הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

An investigation by the "Maakav" system reveals a harsh reality of urban neglect and silence from the authorities.

On Halamit Street in the Amidar area, one of the most neglected areas in the city, residents complain about mountains of garbage that have not been cleared for months. "We pay property tax of over 900 shekels, like houses close to the sea, and we live in garbage," says one resident who asked to remain anonymous. "It's simply unbearable."

The contractor responsible for cleaning the city, who won the municipal tender, receives hundreds of thousands of shekels each month from the state coffers and the Bat Yam municipality. However, despite the high payments, it seems that the work is not being carried out properly. Pictures of garbage piles have been sent many times to the municipality by the 'Maakav' system, but without response or visible treatment.

City residents, who asked to remain anonymous, describe an atmosphere of fear and silence. "People are afraid to speak. There's a feeling that any criticism could lead to a defamation lawsuit," says one resident.

The mayor, Zvika Brot, is known for his tendency to file defamation lawsuits against his critics. In the past, he has filed lawsuits against residents such as Meir Bachar, Yossi Bachar, and his daughter. Therefore, people prefer to remain silent rather than risk an expensive lawsuit.

Danger Lurks in Bat Yam's Gardens: Potholes Endanger Children's Lives

'Maakav' reveals that dangerous potholes are scattered throughout the city's public gardens, posing a real danger to children riding bicycles and playing in open spaces.

It appears that the Bat Yam municipality and the mayor are showing disturbing indifference to the issue. The municipal departments responsible for maintaining public spaces, as well as the contractors responsible for carrying out repairs, have not taken significant steps to solve the problem so far.

This is a ticking time bomb. Is a severe accident just a matter of time?!

Falling into a pothole can cause serious injuries, especially among young cyclists. This is a completely unnecessary risk; such an injury could leave physical and emotional scars for life.

The most troubling question is: Will the municipality take responsibility when a disaster occurs? Bat Yam residents express doubt.

Ron Laviud, Head of the Spokesperson (and Silence) Department

The municipality's spokesperson department, headed by Ron Laviud, is a champion in systematically ignoring 'Maakav's' inquiries. Despite repeated requests from the "Maakav" system, no official response has been received to the serious allegations. Apparently, this is the department of silence, not public relations.

In a strongly worded letter sent by the "Maakav" system to Ron Laviud, it was written: "Is it the spokesperson's job to filter media outlets?" The letter also raises questions about the contractor responsible for cleaning and why a dangerous pothole in a public garden has not been fixed.

The municipality's legal advisor and the city comptroller, entrusted with maintaining law and proper order, are also silent. Their role is to supervise and review the municipality's actions. Their silence raises serious questions.

On the streets of Bat Yam, garbage continues to accumulate. Residents continue to pay high property taxes but feel that their voices are not being heard. "We want a clean city, a transparent municipality, and responsible leadership. It's not an exaggerated request. It's our basic right," says one resident.

As of now, the Bat Yam municipality has not responded to repeated inquiries on the matter. The big question remains: Is anyone in the city leadership listening? And when, if ever, will Bat Yam residents see real change in their streets?

הפוסט Tzvika Brot Ignores: Bat Yam Drowns in Garbage and Its Residents Are Furious הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

The strike, approved in a secret cabinet meeting, caused significant damage and, according to local reports, resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, confirmed the attack and stated: "IDF fighter jets recently struck targets used for military purposes by the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hodeidah port area of Yemen, in response to hundreds of attacks against the State of Israel in recent months." He added that there are no changes to Home Front Command instructions.

According to reports from Yemen, the massive explosions heard in Hodeidah port caused huge fires in ammunition depots, oil refineries, and a power station. Local residents reported power outages and long queues at gas stations. Medical sources in Yemen claim that "dozens of deaths and injuries" were recorded as a result of the attack.

The Israeli strike comes just two days after a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, causing minor damage and light injuries. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have launched about 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems.

Among the Israeli casualties from Houthi attacks was Yevgeny Freder, who was killed by a missile strike in Eilat about two months ago. His death marked a turning point in the Israeli decision to respond forcefully against the Houthis.

American officials clarified shortly after the attack that "Israel acted alone," without coordination with the United States. However, the U.S. expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Houthi attacks.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened to respond harshly to the Israeli attack. In a speech broadcast on local television, he said: "The Israeli aggression will not go unanswered. We will respond with all means at our disposal."

Military analysts estimate that the Israeli attack was intended to damage the Houthis' military capabilities and disrupt the supply chain of weapons and combat equipment from Iran. However, they warn that the attack could lead to further escalation in the region.

Meanwhile, residents of Eilat and southern Israel reported heavy movement of Israeli fighter jets in the city's skies before the attack. The IDF announced that it will hold a special briefing this evening at 20:35 to provide further updates on the operation details.

This dramatic development marks a new phase in Israel's campaign against the Houthis and could affect the security situation in the entire region. Political sources in Jerusalem emphasize that Israel will continue to act decisively to protect its citizens and security interests.

Statement by IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari:

Good evening. A few hours ago, Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of Hodeidah port in Yemen, in response to Houthi attacks over the past nine months. Just minutes ago, our pilots landed and returned home safely.

In recent months, the Houthis have launched about 200 different aerial threats towards Israel, funded and directed by Iran and using Iranian weaponry. In yesterday's unmanned aerial vehicle attack, Yevgeny Freder was killed. We extend our condolences to the family from here.

Most of the threats launched towards Israel from Yemen were intercepted or shot down by an international coalition led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and by IDF forces in the air, sea, and land. I emphasize that there is no change in Home Front Command policy; if there are changes, we will update. We have reinforced our defense and attack arrays at sea, in the air, and on land, and we are prepared in all sectors. However, the defense is not hermetic, and one should act according to Home Front Command instructions.

At a distance of over 1,700 km from here, our pilots attacked the Hodeidah port area in Yemen. We attacked the port area because it serves as a supply route for transferring Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen and is a significant economic source for Houthi terrorism. In the port area, we attacked dual-use terrorist infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.

This is a complex operation, one of the longest and farthest ever carried out by the Israeli Air Force. It required meticulous planning and preparation for various possible threats in the area. Yemen is a large country, only part of which is controlled by Houthi terrorism. We have no intention of attacking the Yemeni people – we are operating against Houthi terrorism.

In recent months, the Houthis, under Iranian direction, have attacked dozens of ships and damaged global trade routes. Houthi terrorism, controlled and trained by Iran, harms freedom of navigation, regional ports, the Suez Canal, and global trade as a whole. Tonight, the IDF acted alone.

Israel expects countries affected by Iranian-directed Houthi terrorism to stand united against the terrorist threat carried out by the Houthis under Iranian direction. This is a shared international interest. Over the past nine months, we have been defending against and responding to various threats in several arenas. As part of the defense effort, hundreds of threats were intercepted and shot down, most of them outside the country's borders. The fighters, pilots, ship combatants, alongside air defense fighters, have been operating devotedly since the beginning of the war to defend the country. With tonight's attack, the campaign is not over. Iranian terrorism and its proxies on all borders will challenge us and require us to continue defending and acting where necessary.

הפוסט Israel Responds with Force: Extensive Airstrike on Houthi Targets in Yemen הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

A new bill from Likud seeks to transfer control of ratings measurement to the Minister of Communications, in a move that could undermine media independence and data reliability.

Last Monday, MK Shalom Danino (Likud) presented the "Viewer Rating Data Display Obligation Bill" to the Knesset. A thorough examination of the proposal reveals an attempt to eliminate the need for an independent ratings committee and transfer control over determining channel ratings in Israel to politicians – primarily Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.

Currently, ratings measurement in Israel is conducted using People-Meter technology, which has been standard worldwide since the 1980s. The Israeli Audience Research Board, an independent body funded by broadcasters and advertisers, is responsible for selecting a representative sample of about 700 households, including 2,200 Israelis. Ratings serve as a key tool in setting advertising rates across different channels.

The new bill claims that People-Meter technology is unsuitable for the digital age and that more accurate measurement tools are needed. However, instead of proposing advanced technological solutions, the bill focuses on transferring authority to the Communications Minister. According to the proposal, "The Minister will determine one or more systems for measuring viewing data, based on which a television broadcaster will present viewing data to the viewer."

This move raises serious concerns within the industry. The Audience Research Board has previously warned that "Putin's Russia is the only place in the world where the state controls viewing data," and that such a move is "undemocratic, unfeasible, and will harm competition." The committee emphasized that the proposal could open the door to "political and other manipulations" of viewing data.

It should be noted that a similar attempt was included in the "Karhi Law," which was shelved last summer after widespread opposition. The original law sought to subject the regulation of television broadcasts in Israel to the political echelon and undermine arrangements designed to preserve journalistic independence. The current bill is seen as an attempt to advance parts of that law in a piecemeal fashion, hoping to avoid widespread public opposition.

Experts warn that transferring control of ratings measurement to political entities could lead to a situation where government-affiliated channels gain an unfair advantage. This could affect the distribution of advertising budgets and harm critical or independent channels.

Opposition to the proposal has been expressed by a wide range of industry players, including Keshet (Channel 12), Reshet (Channel 13), the Public Broadcasting Corporation (Channel 11), Channel 9, HOT, Channel 24, the Association of Advertising Companies, and the Israeli Marketing Association. These entities emphasize the importance of maintaining an independent and reliable measurement system.

While the government claims the move is intended to improve the accuracy of ratings measurement in the digital age, critics argue it's another attempt to take control of the media and weaken public criticism. The central question that arises is whether Israel is indeed moving closer to the Russian model of government control over media, and what the implications of such a move would be for press freedom and democracy in Israel.

The proposal is expected to spark widespread public debate in the coming days, with professionals, civil society organizations, and media figures likely to express their opposition to the move. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to public pressure and whether it will continue to advance this controversial proposal.

Photo: Shlomo Karhi, from Shlomo Karhi's Facebook page, Vladimir Putin, photo by РБК (content according to Section 27a)

הפוסט Likud Promotes Nationalization of Ratings Measurement: Is Israel Heading Towards Putin's Method הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

הפוסט מבזקי חדשות (14.07.2024) – מעקב הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

הפוסט מבזקי חדשות יומי (11.07.2024) – מעקב הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

The proposal, initiated by MK Yulia Malinovsky of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, passed with a majority of 30 supporters against 7 opponents.

The proposal comes following disturbing revelations that about 30 terrorists from organizations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad receive benefits from the National Insurance Institute. According to the proposed law, anyone who is not a resident of Israel and has been convicted of a terrorist offense will lose their eligibility to receive any benefits from the state, including benefits paid to their family members.

"This is the end of the absurd negligence," said MK Malinovsky. "It's inconceivable that terrorists who have harmed Israeli citizens will continue to enjoy Israeli taxpayers' money".

However, opponents of the law argue that it could violate basic human rights and lead to increased tension in the region. "The implications of such a law must be carefully examined", said one opponent.

The bill is expected to go through further legislative stages before becoming binding law. Meanwhile, it is sparking intense public debate on the balance between national security and human rights, and on the state's responsibility towards those who have harmed it.

MK Yulia Malinovsky:

"The bill to revoke benefits paid to terrorists and their family members passed in a preliminary reading!

The bill to revoke benefits paid to terrorists and their family members that I submitted passed with a majority of 30 in favor versus 7 opposed in a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. Following the exposure of the scandalous reality that about thirty terrorists from Hamas and PIJ receive benefits from National Insurance, this bill aimed at ending this negligence is being advanced in the Knesset.

According to the bill, anyone who is not a resident of Israel and has been convicted of a terrorist offense that the court has determined to be an act of terrorism will lose their eligibility to receive any benefit paid to them and their family members from the Israeli state coffers. This bill will put an end to the absurd negligence where Israeli citizens pay from their tax money to bloodthirsty terrorists who tried to murder us.

This reality is a direct continuation of the conception that has existed here for many years. It's time we shout 'enough' and take operative steps in legislation to end this self-flagellation."

Content according to section 27a

הפוסט End of Benefits for Terrorists: Knesset Approves Revolutionary Bill הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.