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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.
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. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, was arrested in Sudan in 2019 but released after a 2021 military coup. He denies financing Hamas. Israeli and US authorities are criticized for underestimating Hamas' threat. Hamza's assets, including stakes in companies in Cyprus, Spain, and Egypt, are part of a complex financial network. The US and UK have sanctioned Hamza, but the EU has not. The article highlights the ongoing challenges in curbing Hamas' financial networks.
How Hamas-linked financier keeps up his business network despite sanctions
Abdelbasit Hamza, a financier linked to Hamas and previously sentenced for corruption in Sudan, continues to maintain a network of business interests in Europe despite US sanctions. His business dealings span multiple countries and include significant assets in Cyprus, Spain, Egypt, and Sudan. Hamza, who denies any involvement with Hamas or Osama Bin Laden, was released from prison following a military coup in Sudan. Critics argue that Israel and the US underestimated the threat posed by Hamas' financial networks, leading to significant security oversights. The US Treasury Department and other international bodies have imposed sanctions on Hamza, but his financial network remains largely intact.
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. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, was arrested in Sudan in 2019 and jailed for handling Hamas' money. He was released after a 2021 military coup. Leaked documents reveal his extensive business portfolio, including a Cypriot firm and a Spanish real estate company. Critics argue that Israel and the US underestimated Hamas' threat. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza in October 2023, but former Sudanese officials believe the sanctions came too late.
Bin Laden, Hamas and the Sudanese money man
A Hamas-linked financier, Abdelbasit Hamza, continues to maintain a network of business interests in Europe despite US sanctions. Hamza, previously jailed in Sudan for handling Hamas' money, has been linked to Osama Bin Laden and owns stakes in various companies, including a Cypriot firm and a Spanish real estate company. The article highlights the failure of Israel and the US to curb Hamas' global business network, with criticism directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for underestimating the threat. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, but critics argue the actions came too late.
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. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, was arrested in Sudan in 2019 and jailed for handling Hamas' money but was released after a 2021 military coup. Investigations reveal Hamza's extensive business portfolio, including a Cypriot firm and a Spanish real estate company. Critics argue that Israel and the US underestimated the threat posed by Hamas. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza in October 2023, but some believe the actions came too late to curb his financial network.
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. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, was arrested in Sudan in 2019 and jailed for handling Hamas' money but was released in 2021. Investigations reveal his extensive business portfolio, including companies in Cyprus, Spain, Egypt, and Sudan. Critics argue that Israel and the US underestimated the threat posed by Hamas' financing networks. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza in October 2023, but some believe the actions came too late to curb his influence.
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. Hamza, linked to Osama Bin Laden, was arrested in Sudan in 2019 and jailed for handling Hamas' money. He was released after a 2021 military coup. Critics argue that Israel and the US underestimated the threat posed by Hamas. Hamza's business dealings include a Cypriot firm, a Spanish real estate company, and an Egyptian gold business. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Hamza in October for ties to terrorism financing. The article highlights the complexities of Hamza's financial network and the delayed response by international authorities.
Alleged Hamas financier holds stake in Cyprus company that mines Egyptian gold, leaked files reveal
Sudanese businessman Abdelbasit Hamza, accused of financing Hamas, holds a stake in a Cyprus company mining Egyptian gold. Sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K., Hamza denies ties to Hamas and al-Qaida. Leaked documents reveal his ownership in Matz Holdings, a firm with lucrative gold mining concessions in Egypt. Despite his arrest and conviction in Sudan, Hamza continues to protect his financial interests. The investigation highlights significant oversights by U.S. and Israeli security establishments in disrupting Hamza's activities.
In old, feel-good story, Putin bought teacher an apartment. He didn’t.
The article reveals that a heartwarming story about Russian President Vladimir Putin buying an apartment for his former teacher, Mina Yuditskaya-Berliner, is false. Financial records show that the funds actually came from an offshore account controlled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. This discovery highlights the hidden financial ties and patronage system in Russia, where oligarchs like Abramovich are expected to fulfill Putin's wishes. The article also discusses Abramovich's ongoing efforts to protect his assets amid Western sanctions due to Russia's war in Ukraine, and his role as a back channel in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
In old feel-good story, Putin bought teacher an apartment. He didn’t.
Newly uncovered financial records reveal that an offshore account secretly controlled by Roman Abramovich paid for a Tel Aviv apartment for Vladimir Putin's high school German teacher, contradicting previous narratives that Putin himself had purchased the apartment. This discovery highlights secretive financial dealings involving prominent Russian figures.
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.
Extremist Israeli group halts fund-raising effort in US
An Israeli group, Shlom Asiraich, which supports Jewish prisoners convicted of hate crimes, has ceased its U.S. fundraising efforts through the charity World of Tzedaka following an investigation. The group has been linked to notorious crimes, including the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the murder of a Palestinian family. World of Tzedaka confirmed the cessation of their association, citing advice from rabbis and questionable information about Shlom Asiraich. The U.S. State Department condemned extremist violence, while the IRS and Justice Department did not comment on the legality of the fundraising activities.
Extremist Israeli group halts fundraising effort in U.S.
An Israeli group, Shlom Asiraich, known for assisting Jewish prisoners convicted of hate crimes, has ceased its fundraising efforts in the U.S. through the charity World of Tzedaka following an investigation by the Associated Press and Shomrim. The group, which has supported individuals convicted of high-profile hate crimes, had been raising funds via tax-exempt contributions facilitated by the U.S.-based charity. World of Tzedaka confirmed the cessation of their association with Shlom Asiraich, citing advice from rabbis and questionable information about the group. The investigation highlighted the rare nature of such extremist fundraising activities in the U.S. and raised questions about potential legal violations, though no clear breaches of U.S. law were identified. The U.S. State Department condemned extremist violence, while the Justice Department did not comment.
Extremist Israeli group halts fund-raising effort in US
An Israeli group, Shlom Asiraich, which supports Jewish prisoners convicted of hate crimes, has ceased its fundraising efforts through the U.S.-based charity World of Tzedaka following an investigation. The group had been raising funds in the U.S. via tax-exempt contributions, but World of Tzedaka has since severed ties due to questionable information and rabbinical advice. The article highlights the involvement of extremist figures and the lack of clarity on the legality of the fundraising activities. The U.S. State Department condemned extremist violence, while the Justice Department did not comment.
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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