Galatz
Galei Tzahal, widely known by its acronym Galatz, is a nationwide Israeli radio network operated under the auspices of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The broadcaster airs a mix of news, music, cultural programming, educational content, and real-time traffic reports. Its primary station is complemented by a secondary channel, Galgalatz, which focuses exclusively on Hebrew-language music and traffic updates.
Media assets
Radio: Galatz
State Media Matrix Typology
Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
Galatz is overseen by a civilian director, who is formally appointed by the Minister of Defense for a term of up to five years. While the role is administrative and editorial in nature, the director is granted a military rank, underscoring the station’s embeddedness within Israel’s defense establishment.
In recent years, however, the appointment process has become increasingly politicized, drawing scrutiny from media freedom advocates. In January 2024, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi publicly opposed the Ministry of Defense’s nomination of Tal Lev Ram to lead the station—signaling deeper political interference in what had previously been an apolitical appointment. This tug-of-war exemplifies the growing tension between the broadcaster’s operational autonomy and the state’s impulse to tighten control over strategic media outlets.
Shimon Elkabetz is the current director of Galatz. He has held this position since at least 2017 and continues to serve in this capacity as of 2025.
Source of funding and budget
Galatz’s financial details are largely classified, a consequence of its affiliation with the military. As a result, no comprehensive or consolidated budget data is publicly available. According to insights from local media analysts and journalists familiar with the station’s operations consulted for this report, more than half of Galatz’s budget is sourced from the Ministry of Defense, with the remainder generated through advertising revenues—a stream that has seen notable growth in recent years.
This dual-source funding model creates a delicate balance: while state support ensures operational continuity, growing advertising income has offered the broadcaster a degree of financial maneuverability, potentially buffering it against political influence.
Editorial independence
Notwithstanding its military structure and state funding, Galatz has long been regarded as an editorially independent platform. According to an academic study, the station has maintained a reputation for “high-quality journalism, liberal pluralism, and reliable broadcasting,” distinguishing itself in a highly polarized media environment.
The broadcaster adheres to an internal code of conduct that governs its operations across multiple domains—including marketing ethics, depictions of violence, rights of reply, protection of personal reputation, and privacy standards. Censorship is rare, and typically invoked only under exceptional circumstances such as national security incidents or terrorist attacks, where prior approval from security authorities may be required.
Galatz also enforces conflict-of-interest provisions, prohibiting journalists from seeking or offering personal favors that could compromise their editorial impartiality.
That said, pressure on the station has intensified since the escalation of conflict in Gaza, with government actors seeking greater influence over programming and narrative framing. Veteran reporters at Galatz have pushed back, insisting that editorial integrity remains intact despite mounting external pressure. A content analysis of Galatz broadcasts from March 2024 found no discernible government bias, suggesting that the station continues to uphold its standards of impartiality.
As of mid-2025, the future of Galatz remains uncertain. The wartime environment has given political leaders greater latitude to justify intervention in media affairs, and Galatz’s institutional links to the military make it especially vulnerable to such encroachment.
To date, no independent oversight mechanism has been identified that could objectively evaluate or safeguard the editorial independence of Galatz or its sister station, Galgalatz. This lack of external accountability, coupled with its classified funding and military governance, leaves the broadcaster exposed to both overt and covert forms of influence.
Yet, for now, Galatz continues to walk the tightrope—striving to preserve its journalistic mission while operating under the shadow of institutional authority.
July 2025