Arutz-7 announces the publication of a new weekly newspaper, named B\'Sheva, for the religious public in Israel. It will be distributed free of charge - from house to house, in certain neighborhoods and communities - and will attempt to \"strengthen the religious and traditional public in order that these may lead the rest of the population to the values of Torah, Nation, and Land.\" The paper will have an initial circulation of 100,000, and it will be 8-16 pages long - split equally between ads and articles.
In response to claims by the Makor Rishon newspaper against the new paper, Arutz-7\'s management made the following points:
* The current newspapers written for the religious Zionist public, HaTzofeh and Makor Rishon, have circulations of approx. 15,000 - a small portion of the Arutz-7 listenership. There is a need to disseminate our common message to many more homes, and this is why B\'Sheva will be distributed to 100,000 homes.
* Just as Makor Rishon\'s appearance several years ago was greeted by warnings that it would lead to the demise of HaTzofeh, yet these predictions did not come true; on the contrary, HaTzofeh grew stronger. So, too, Arutz-7 believes that the appearance of B\'Sheva will introduce more readers to the issues dealt with in the religious-Zionist press and will thus lead to further growth in both HaTzofeh and Makor Rishon.
* The publisher of Makor Rishon is to be commended for taking upon himself the publication of that paper - but this does not justify his attacks on other efforts in this direction, nor does it allow him a monopoly on endeavors in this area. Arutz-7\'s support of Makor Rishon during its recent crisis was critical in ensuring its survival; Arutz-7 conducted a \"Makor Rishon Day\" to collect donations for the paper, and for a long time called upon its listeners to subscribe to the paper - all without pay.
* Efforts were made to work together with Makor Rishon, but unfortunately, these efforts did not bear fruit - and not by fault of Arutz-7… Claims against Arutz-7 by Makor Rishon are less than half-true. The management of Arutz-7 does not plan to be dragged into mutual mudslinging. Certainly no fair person would believe one-sided allegations and accusations, and if these continue, Arutz-7 will be forced to consider its legal options. Arutz-7\'s monetary claims against Makor Rishon will be arbitrated by a mutually acceptable mediator, in accordance with the contract signed by both sides.
* It is not true that donations to Arutz-7 radio and/or the upkeep of Arutz-7\'s ship are being used to establish B\'Sheva. Rather, certain idealistic individuals took upon themselves to support B\'Sheva - what they call \"Arutz-7\'s blessed endeavor\" - and are paying for the establishment of the new paper. Much money is still needed, however.
In response to claims by the Makor Rishon newspaper against the new paper, Arutz-7\'s management made the following points:
* The current newspapers written for the religious Zionist public, HaTzofeh and Makor Rishon, have circulations of approx. 15,000 - a small portion of the Arutz-7 listenership. There is a need to disseminate our common message to many more homes, and this is why B\'Sheva will be distributed to 100,000 homes.
* Just as Makor Rishon\'s appearance several years ago was greeted by warnings that it would lead to the demise of HaTzofeh, yet these predictions did not come true; on the contrary, HaTzofeh grew stronger. So, too, Arutz-7 believes that the appearance of B\'Sheva will introduce more readers to the issues dealt with in the religious-Zionist press and will thus lead to further growth in both HaTzofeh and Makor Rishon.
* The publisher of Makor Rishon is to be commended for taking upon himself the publication of that paper - but this does not justify his attacks on other efforts in this direction, nor does it allow him a monopoly on endeavors in this area. Arutz-7\'s support of Makor Rishon during its recent crisis was critical in ensuring its survival; Arutz-7 conducted a \"Makor Rishon Day\" to collect donations for the paper, and for a long time called upon its listeners to subscribe to the paper - all without pay.
* Efforts were made to work together with Makor Rishon, but unfortunately, these efforts did not bear fruit - and not by fault of Arutz-7… Claims against Arutz-7 by Makor Rishon are less than half-true. The management of Arutz-7 does not plan to be dragged into mutual mudslinging. Certainly no fair person would believe one-sided allegations and accusations, and if these continue, Arutz-7 will be forced to consider its legal options. Arutz-7\'s monetary claims against Makor Rishon will be arbitrated by a mutually acceptable mediator, in accordance with the contract signed by both sides.
* It is not true that donations to Arutz-7 radio and/or the upkeep of Arutz-7\'s ship are being used to establish B\'Sheva. Rather, certain idealistic individuals took upon themselves to support B\'Sheva - what they call \"Arutz-7\'s blessed endeavor\" - and are paying for the establishment of the new paper. Much money is still needed, however.