Jerusalem Post Changes: English Paper's New Direction

The Jerusalem Post, once aligned with the Labor Party, is now exploring a more independent path. This shift is happening as US policy in the Middle East changes.
By Newsroom | News, Middle East |

JERUSALEM - The Jerusalem Post, an English-language daily, traces its origins to 1932 as the Palestine Post. It has historically positioned itself as a key voice on foreign news, with a particular focus on Arab-Israeli relations. Its print circulation figures, as of recent reports, show a weekday print run of 90,000, swelling to 120,000 on weekends. An international edition, built on the foundation of its weekend publication, caters to a foreign readership.

The paper's journey is marked by shifts in its political alignment and editorial stance. Initially supporting the Zionist movement and opposing British immigration restrictions during the Mandate period, the publication was seen by Zionist institutions as a tool for influencing British authorities. After Israel's declaration of statehood in 1950, it was renamed The Jerusalem Post and, until 1989, it aligned itself with the Labor Party. A period under editor-in-chief David Makovsky (1999-2000) saw a centrist approach to defense matters, coupled with a move away from socialist principles. More recently, Bret Stephens, a politically conservative figure from The Wall Street Journal, served as editor-in-chief starting in 2002.

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The newspaper's online presence appears to be a dynamic component of its operation. While specific figures for its website traffic are not detailed, it is described as one of the more active and responsive platforms developed by an Israeli press group, standing out even when compared to Haaretz. The publication offers archived content through platforms like PressReader, allowing for offline access. Its opinion section, particularly active around May 2025, featured discussions on the need for Israel to pursue a more independent strategic path, particularly in light of perceived shifts in US Middle East policy. It also highlighted the experiences of writers observing regional turmoil and the concerns of Jewish organizations regarding power and antisemitism.

Historically, earlier attempts at English-language publications in Jerusalem existed, such as The Jerusalem News in 1919, which was associated with the Christian Science movement and had no direct link to the Post's lineage. The Palestine Bulletin ran from 1925 to 1932, before being incorporated into The Palestine Post. Circulation data from the early 21st century indicated approximately 11,000 copies distributed within Israel and 26,000 in the United States daily, alongside a weekly French-language edition reaching 3,000 readers in France.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is The Jerusalem Post changing?
The Jerusalem Post, an English-language newspaper, is shifting its editorial focus. It is moving towards a more independent strategic path for Israel. This change is happening because of perceived shifts in United States Middle East policy.
Q: Who is affected by The Jerusalem Post's changes?
Readers of The Jerusalem Post, especially those interested in foreign news and Arab-Israeli relations, will be affected. The paper's new direction may influence how international events, particularly those involving the US and the Middle East, are reported and understood.
Q: What was The Jerusalem Post's past political stance?
The Jerusalem Post has changed its political alignment over time. It started by supporting the Zionist movement. Later, until 1989, it was aligned with the Labor Party. More recently, its editors have had more conservative or centrist views.
Q: When did The Jerusalem Post become an English-language paper?
The newspaper started in 1932 as The Palestine Post. It was renamed The Jerusalem Post in 1950 after Israel became a state. It has always been an English-language publication.