Haaretz Fires Political Commentator Haim Levinson Over Financial Ties to Netanyahu Adviser Einhorn

The Haaretz newspaper announced on Thursday the dismissal of its veteran political commentator Haim Levinson, after it emerged that he had been employed by “Perception”, a company owned by Srulik Einhorn, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close media adviser — and one of the figures implicated in the ongoing Qatar-Gate investigation.

According to Haaretz, Levinson received at least NIS 200,000 from Einhorn’s company over several years. As a result, he has also been suspended from presenting his television program “Ophira and Levinson” on Keshet 12, which was scheduled to air this weekend.

Haaretz: “Violation of Professional Ethics”

Haaretz Editor-in-Chief Aluf Ben said the paper had previously questioned Levinson over two articles — one written and another brokered by him — and that Levinson had denied receiving any external compensation.

“A few days ago, Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg received materials showing financial ties between Perception and a company owned by Levinson,” Ben said in a statement.
“Levinson was summoned for questioning and admitted to receiving payments since 2019. Following this, I informed him that he would no longer continue working for Haaretz.”

Ben added that the newspaper demands its journalists “strictly adhere to professional ethics”, and announced that internal policies on outside work will be updated in light of the affair.

Levinson Confirms Payments

Almost simultaneously, Levinson published a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account admitting to the ties — which he had previously denied — and offered a detailed explanation.

“In 2019, to avoid a salary increase at Haaretz, the editor authorized me to take side jobs,” he wrote.
“I worked under full permission — at conferences, TV panels, lectures, radio, and as a shadow writer for people and organizations. Among these, I worked for my friend Srulik Einhorn during election campaigns in the Balkans.”

Levinson insisted that none of his side work was related to his journalism at Haaretz and that the engagement with Einhorn ended in mid-2024, when he began his weekly television program.

“A Serious Mistake, But Not a Crime”

Addressing the Qatar-Gate connection, Levinson said he was unaware that Einhorn’s company provided services to Qatar, and expressed anger upon discovering it.

“If I’d known, I would have used it to get stories. Qatar is an Islamic dictatorship — I would not work for it any more than I would work for China or Putin,” he wrote.

Levinson acknowledged that his failure to disclose the payments was a “serious error in judgment.”

“I should have set a much higher journalistic standard so no one would think my opinions were biased. I failed and I apologize for that. But I never worked for Qatar, and I did not know about Einhorn’s connection to them.”

Departure Marks End of a Decade at Haaretz

Earlier in the day, Levinson had already announced his departure from Haaretz, writing that he had “lost the joy of journalistic work” and that “it was time to move on.”

“Others more talented than me will come,” he wrote. “You’ll still have to tolerate me on screen — and in other places to come.”

Levinson joined Haaretz more than a decade ago and became one of its most recognizable political commentators, known for his sharp critiques, wit, and high-profile media appearances.

Background: The ‘Qatar-Gate’ Shadow

Srulik Einhorn, a close media strategist for Prime Minister Netanyahu, has been under scrutiny in recent months for alleged undeclared consulting work connected to Qatari interests.
The Qatar-Gate affair — still under investigation — revolves around foreign influence in Israeli public affairs and media narratives, with several consultants and intermediaries being questioned by authorities.

Levinson is not suspected of wrongdoing in that case, but his financial ties to Einhorn have raised ethical questions about conflict of interest in Israeli journalism.