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Check FAQAbout Uri
Twenty years ago, I published my first story for a Jerusalem weekly newspaper. Since then, I gained knowledge, connections and a deep understanding of covering the news in Israel, Palestine, U.S. and parts of the world. With my ability to navigate Israel & Palestine, I conducted hard hitting investigations which revealed secret money trails of corrupt politicians, recognized tendencies in social networks, uncovered military wrongdoings and produced breaking news coverage for both local and international audiences. My investigative storytelling crossed multiple platforms, from writing for reputable print newspapers and magazines, such as Haaretz and Harper’s, to digital platforms like ProPublica, Mashable, Quartz and Fusion. As the local field producer of Japanese based Fuji TV news for eight years, I coordinated all crews sent to Israel by choosing compelling news topics for coverage, selecting the best filming locations and identifying interviewees. With this responsibility, I produced Fuji’s coverage of the disengagement from Gaza, wars in Lebanon and Gaza, election campaigns, the visit of Japanese Prime Minister in Israel and much more. Over the years, I also worked as the local producer for some of U.K.’s Channel 4 “Unreported World” documentaries, a PBS’s “Frontline” episode, Morgan Spurlock’s “Where in the World is Osama Bin-Laden” feature film and more. Radio coverage provided a new challenge during my recent work as fixer and producer for BBC World Service during the Israel’s election period. During my Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard University, I researched different models for an investigative news platform, while gaining video editing experience, innovative reporting skills, storytelling abilities, data mining and visualization tools. I also participated in a hands on, intensive seminar on the future of journalism at MIT’s Media Lab. Currently based out of D.C., I am available to work in the U.S. and in Israel
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Columnists and their posts brought to you by social media popularity
The text is a compilation of articles and opinions from various authors discussing a range of topics including conflicts in Yemen and Gaza, political statements, social issues, and the impact of technology on society. It highlights incidents such as missile attacks off the coast of Yemen, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the role of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping public discourse. The articles also touch on geopolitical shifts, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the interplay of human selves.
Bin Laden, Hamas and the Sudanese money man
A Hamas-linked financier, Abdelbasit Hamza, maintains a network of business interests in Europe despite US sanctions, according to leaked documents. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, has been involved in various businesses, including a Cypriot firm and a Spanish real estate company. He was arrested in Sudan in 2019 but released after a military coup in 2021. Investigations by CNN, Shomrim, and the ICIJ have highlighted the extent of his assets and raised questions about the effectiveness of Israeli and US efforts to combat Hamas' global financial network. The US State Department has not commented on the findings, and Hamza denies involvement in Hamas financing.
Bin Laden, Hamas and the Sudanese money man
Abdelbasit Hamza, a financier with links to Hamas and Osama Bin Laden, maintains European business interests despite US sanctions. His network, once valued over $2bn, includes a Cypriot firm and a Spanish real estate company. Hamza was jailed in Sudan for handling Hamas' money but claims innocence. Israel and the US face criticism for underestimating Hamas' financial threat. Documents from the 'Cyprus Confidential' leak reveal Hamza's business dealings, including a stake in Matz Holdings, which holds concessions for gold mines in Egypt. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza and his companies for terrorism financing. The UK also sanctioned Hamza, but the EU has not. Questions arise over the failure to neutralize Hamas' financial networks after their attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 hostages. Netanyahu has been accused of allowing Hamas to receive cash for 'humanitarian reasons,' which critics say fueled their finance networks. Sudan's anti-corruption task force indicted Hamza, but following a military coup, his assets were returned, and he was released from prison.
Extremist Israeli group halts fundraising effort in U.S.
An Israeli group known as Shlom Asiraich, which supports Jewish prisoners convicted of hate crimes, has ceased its fundraising activities through the U.S.-based charity World of Tzedaka after an investigation. The group had been assisting individuals such as Yigal Amir and Amiram Ben-Uliel, raising concerns about the far right's influence in the U.S. The IRS has vague rules on nonprofit fundraising, and while the State Department condemns extremist violence, it's unclear if any U.S. laws were broken. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new far-right government has no direct link to Shlom Asiraich, although its registration was handled by an aide to the ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
In September 2020 I co-produced a BBC-Arabic documentary revealing the massive funding behind East Jerusalem's settlement organization Elad. This film was part of ICIJ's FinCen files investigation.
The Impact of American Dollars in Israel and Palestine
Investigative journalist Uri Blau has conducted an in-depth analysis of American dollars flowing into Israel and Palestine, particularly focusing on the funds raised by U.S.-based nonprofits. These organizations collect hundreds of millions of dollars to support various causes in the region. Blau's investigation reveals that a significant portion of this tax-exempt money is used to sustain Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which is in direct conflict with the official U.S. policy. The project aims to bring transparency to the financial activities of these nonprofits and their Israeli partners, highlighting the complex nature of the financial ties between America and one of its key allies in the Middle East.
My connections, contacts and special access made PBS's "Inside Hamas" documentary an important watch to anyone who wanted to understand Palestinian movement Hamas better.
On the West Bank, where a quarter-of-a-million Israelis live cheek-by-jowl with over two million Palestinians, ideologically driven Israeli settlers are exploiting political weaknesses to take back settlements the Israeli government expelled them from only two years before". Channel 4 "Unreported World" traveled to Israel and the West Bank. I was their field producer.
Channel 4 "Unreported World" traveled to Israel to reveal how the rapid growth of Jewish "fundamentalists" is creating. I was their man on the ground.
Nitay Days
Benjamin Netanyahu, who briefly changed his surname to Nitay, was involved in fundraising for a memorial for his brother, a casualty of the Entebbe raid. Netanyahu, a former employee of Boston Consulting Group and acquaintance of Mitt Romney, later became Israel's Prime Minister. Speculations about his name changes have led to various conspiracy theories, though they appear to be unfounded. Netanyahu's ties to the U.S. include his education at MIT and his relationship with David Ginsburg, a lawyer with a history of advising Israeli leaders and aiding in the recognition of the State of Israel.
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