Four members of the Yedioth Ahronoth and ynet newsrooms — Ronen Bergman, Ziv Koren, Gil Yohanan and Ilana Curiel — received certificates of recognition Wednesday from the Israel Press and Communications Council for excellence in covering the October 7 war and the months that followed.
The recipients were selected based on recommendations from news organizations and Israel Prize laureates in journalism. The council’s leadership then reviewed the nominations and finalized the list, seeking to ensure broad, balanced and appropriate representation of the media’s work.
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Ronen Bergman and Ziv Koren at the Israel Press and Communications Council’s recognition ceremony
(Photo: Hadas Russo)
The council stressed that honoring the recipients did not diminish its appreciation for all media professionals who have worked tirelessly since October 7. It said the certificates recognized their exceptional work, courage and professional dedication during the Swords of Iron war.
The certificates were presented at a ceremony at Beit Ariela in Tel Aviv, hosted by Tali Lipkin-Shahak. Musical accompaniment was provided by Ben and Talia Dancyg, the son and granddaughter of the late hostage Alex Dancyg of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who was murdered in Hamas captivity.
The judges wrote of Bergman: “Dr. Ronen Bergman conducted and published unprecedented international investigations into the intelligence community and the conduct of the war. Over the past year, Bergman provided a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the defense establishment.
“Through his major revelations, which resonated in Israel and around the world, he outlined the intelligence failures that led to October 7 and exposed the behind-the-scenes management of the war and negotiations for hostage deals, setting the highest standard of investigative journalism at the international level.”
Curiel, ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth’s southern Israel and environmental correspondent, was praised for covering “the communities of the western Negev and the Gaza border area with humanity and sensitivity during their most difficult hour.”
Ilana Curiel
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
“Ilana has served as the clear voice of southern residents since October 7 and throughout the months of war,” the citation said. “With exceptional sensitivity, she has covered the tragedy of the western Negev communities, closely accompanied bereaved families and brought the stories of destruction, heroism and recovery from the Gaza border communities into every home in Israel. She has done so alongside significant, rare and important reporting on environmental issues.”
Of photographer Ziv Koren, the council said: “Since the outbreak of the war, he has maintained an intimate, uncompromising historical record of the face of the war, on the front lines and on the home front.
“Since October 7, Koren’s camera has been present in every arena — from the devastated Gaza border kibbutzim and troops operating in Gaza to the struggle of the hostage families and hospital rehabilitation wards.
“With a sensitive eye, courage under fire and extraordinary visual talent, he is shaping Israel’s photographic national memory and conveying Israeli pain and heroism to the world.”
Photographer Gil Yohanan was also recognized, with the council saying the certificate was awarded “for excellence, courage and exceptional dedication in covering the war since October 7.”
Gil Yohanan
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
“His professional work, often carried out at genuine risk to his life along the front lines and at scenes of grief, embodies the duty to present reality as it is,” the citation said. “His dedicated work is a pillar of the public’s right to know and a source of pride for the Israeli media.”
Prof. Hanan Melcer, president of the Israel Press and Communications Council and a retired deputy president of the Supreme Court, addressed the ceremony.
“Since the morning of October 7, 2023, the State of Israel has been experiencing one of the most challenging, complex and difficult periods in its history,” Melcer said.
“In such circumstances, a free press is not merely an observer on the sidelines. Alongside the security forces, it is a pillar safeguarding our freedom and resilience.
“Since the outbreak of the war, journalists, photographers, editors and presenters have at times worked at genuine risk to their lives, always with the highest commitment to presenting reality as it is and fulfilling the public’s right to know.
“Your work is a source of pride for the Israeli media. We will continue to stand guard together and firmly defend freedom of the press and communications in Israel while supporting you in your essential work.”