The Seventh Eye is Israel's only independent, investigative magazine devoted entirely to journalism, the media, freedom of speech, and transparency. Its staff and contributors publish exclusive news, analysis, and investigative reporting on these issues and more on a daily basis.

The magazine thrives on the support of thousands of individuals from the public, enabling it to operate as a fully independent platform for free journalism. This support ensures that it functions without ties or commitments to the entities it covers, maintaining a fearless and unbiased stance.

The Seventh Eye seeks to foster dialogue about journalism, hold the media accountable, and uncover injustices and deceptions, ranging from fraud and covert advertising to discrimination and racism.

It closely examines the relationships between capital, politics, and the press, and warns of the dangers inherent in both private and state ownership of media outlets. In recent years, as Israel has faced attempts at a judicial overhaul and a broader democratic crisis, The Seventh Eye has played an essential role in documenting the threats to press freedom and in exposing how power struggles directly shape media coverage.

The magazine monitors legislation and regulation affecting Israel’s media landscape, with a focus on governmental actions aimed at restricting freedom of the press and freedom of expression. By doing so, it works to ensure that the public remains informed about efforts to curtail democratic oversight and accountability.

In 2023, The Seventh Eye was awarded the Sokolov Prize, Israel’s most prestigious journalism award. According to the award committee:

“Over the three decades since its founding, The Seventh Eye has served as the leading platform for rigorous, critical, and independent discussion of the Israeli media — its achievements and its shortcomings, what deserves praise and what demands profound change.

"Among its many accomplishments are the ongoing documentation of the spread of covert advertising in the Israeli press, the comprehensive coverage of Netanyahu’s media trial, and the unprecedented investigation into the corruption at Yedioth Ahronoth.

"The Seventh Eye has consistently highlighted the often unsatisfactory ways in which the Israeli media conveys reality to the public, while exposing for media consumers the hidden maneuvers taking place behind the scenes that shape the content, scope, and framing of news coverage.”

Press inquiries

The staff writers and editors of The Seventh Eye are often sought after by international media as experts on Israeli media affairs. For press inquiries and translation requests, please contact us at: contact@the7eye.org.il

Donations

The Seventh Eye has been a pioneer in independent non-profit journalism in Israel since 1996. Today, it is part of the Israeli Independent Journalism Union, alongside Shakuf and The Hottest Place in Hell. Our entire budget relies on reader donations and operates with full transparency. This business model enables us to maintain complete independence and freedom from any affiliations or obligations.

Regarding donating related inquiries please click here (Hebrew) or contact us: contact@the7eye.org.il

The Articles

A few examples of The Seventh Eye's work in English can be found here.

The Staff

Editor in chief: Shuki Tausig

Founder and Editor in chief, 1996‒2012: Uzi Benziman

Editor in chief, 2012‒2015: Hanoch Marmari

Staff writers: Oren Persico, Itamar Benzaquen, Chen Egri and Shabi Gatenio.

Language Editor, 2008-2015: Rachel Peretz

The Seventh Eye publishes reports, articles and commentary by contributing writers ‒ journalists, academics and web experts. Our full list of writers can be viewed here (Hebrew).

A Brief History

The Seventh Eye was founded as a bimonthly print journal by senior Israeli journalists who sought a transparent forum for professional debate. The founding editor, Uzi Benziman, together with Prof. Yaron Ezrahi, assembled a team of leading writers ‒ Nahum Barnea, Carmit Guy and Rafi Mann ‒  who shared the pages with younger reporters, guest columnists, and academics.

It soon became the most important arena for frank and constructive discussion about the challenges facing Israeli media — a journal where journalists critiqued the press, raised ethical questions, and published original investigations.

In 2008, after 70 issues, the magazine ended its print edition and moved online. As a digital publication, The Seventh Eye exposes the inner workings of the media, offers fresh perspectives on media ethics, and empowers journalists to act as watchdogs of Israel’s embattled democracy. Its reporting is frequently cited in Supreme Court rulings, Knesset debates, academic research, and by both local and international media.

The Seventh Eye also plays a central role in training the next generation of Israeli media professionals. It serves as a valuable teaching tool in academic programs in journalism, communication, and political science, while continuing to enrich public debate about media accountability and press freedom.

Ownership and Independence

The Seventh Eye was founded and initially funded by the Israel Democracy Institute, which served as its publisher from 1996 until 2015. On April 1, 2015, control of the website was transferred to The Seventh Eye – Independent, Investigative and Free Journalism, an Israeli nonprofit established by the magazine’s staff.

Today, The Seventh Eye operates as part of the Independent Journalism Union in Israel, alongside Shakuf and The Hottest Place in Hell. Its entire budget relies on reader donations and is managed with full transparency, ensuring total editorial independence.