Avishay Ben Haim

Avishay Ben Haim was born in 1968 in Jerusalem

Avishay Ben Haim was born in Jerusalem in 1968 to a family that came from Morocco. The family lived in Dimona for 2 years while his father worked there in education. His parents were among the founders of Psagot, where the family lived until he joined the army.

He attended high school at Yeshivat Netiv Meir and Himmelfarb High School. He served in the Paratroopers Brigade as a platoon commander and later reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the reserves. He earned a master's degree and a doctorate in Jewish history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with a dissertation on Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Kabbalah.

He began his career at Maariv, where he covered Haredi affairs for years. In 2010 he joined Channel 10 News as a reporter and commentator on Haredi and religious affairs and produced television series on Haredim, Judaism and Israeli identity. In 2018 he made the series "They Stole the State from Us," which used the terms "First Israel" and "Second Israel" to explain social gaps, an idea that has drawn criticism.

He served in the reserves for much of the Swords of Iron War. In April 2026 he published the book "The Traditionalism Manifesto." In May 2026 he left Channel 13 and joined Channel 14 as a commentator and panelist on The Patriots.