Ron Ben Yishai

Ron Ben-Yishai is currently Commentator on National & International affairs and Special Assignment Correspondent for "Yedioth Aharonot" Daily, Israel, and the web news site Ynet.

In this capacity Mr. Ben-Yishai deals extensively with matters of Israeli and Middle Eastern regional security, Israeli foreign Policy, and International affairs. He has covered - on location – ethnic and religious conflicts and the human situation in Afghanistan (1989, 2001, 2002), Colombia (the Drug War) Iraq , Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Kenya, Kashmir, Romania, the Gulf, the Kurds in Iraq & Turkey, Bosnia, Kosovo and Chechnya.

In 2003 Ben Yishai covered the war in Iraq (on location) for Channel 2 News. He was sent again to Baghdad in December 2005 where he covered the election in Iraq as well as security affairs there.

A year thereafter, in summer 2006, Ben Yishai covered the Second Lebanon War joining IDF forces in South Lebanon and few days later he was in Beirut and South Lebanon to report the results of the war from Lebanese perspective. In 2007 he traveled to Yemen (the plight of the Jews there) and Syria (following the destruction of a secret nuclear installation there). In 2008-9 Ben Yishai was reporting from southern Israel as well as from inside Gaza Strip before and during "Cast Lead" operation. (Mr Ben-Yishai was wounded in combat situations while covering wars in the M.E (1968, 1970) and in Kosovo in (1999)

In his long career as correspondent of US and Israeli media Mr. Ben Yishai conducted interviews with world leaders like US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, German chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt, the late president of Egypt Ahmed Sadat, the current Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak, the President of Iraq Jallal Talabani and many others. 

After graduating (Economics & Geography) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem School of Broadcasting and Journalism Of IBA (Israel Broadcasting Authority) in 1967, Mr. Ben-Yishai spent several years working for IBA (TV & Radio) in various positions including War Correspondent, Roving Correspondent in Europe (based in Bonn, F.R of Germany), Senior Political Correspondent and International Affairs Senior Correspondent & commentator.

Just in time to cover the historic Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt, Mr. Ben-Yishai became (1978 – 1981) Washington Bureau Chief for Israel’s largest-circulation Hebrew daily “Yedioth Aharonoth”.  Thereafter he served 3 years as C.O of the IDF Radio "Galei Zahal".

Ben Yishai was M.E correspondent of “Time” Magazine (New York) for 10 years and then became Chief Editor of the Israeli daily “Davar”. In the meantime he has also lectured at Tel Aviv University School of Journalism and once again Bureau Chief in Washington for "Yedioth Aharont" (1991 – 1993).

He has authored a myriad of articles and has directed many TV documentaries and Radio Programs. He speaks Hebrew, English and German and is a recipient of a number of professional awards. Among them: Israel Journalists Association "Best Report From The Battle field" Award in 1967; IBA Director General Award for distinguished Journalistic work in 1969; “kinor David” Prize for “best TV documentary of the year” in 1978,  Israeli Newspaper Publishers award: “Outstanding Journalist Of the Year” in 1989; Israel Journalists Association award for "Journalistic Achievments" in 2008.

Mr. Ben Yishai is a Colonel (Ret.) of the IDF Paratrooper Force (IDF Chief Of Stuff Decoration, Yom Kipur War, 1973).