The deputy editor of the settler newspaper Nekuda, Hayuta Deutsch, has been fired in the wake of ideological differences with editor Motti Karpel.
According to sources at the paper, Karpel, who in the past was among the Jewish Leadership group headed by Moshe Feiglin, is giving Nekuda more of a messianic and less of a right-wing political hue, as the paper had been characterized until now.
Nekuda started out in 1979 as the newspaper of the Yesha settlers council, and its first editor was journalist Israel Harel. About two years ago it was purchased by businessman Shlomo Ben-Zvi, who also owns other media outlets.
Ben-Zvi appointed Karpel as editor. In recent months the new editor had a number of confrontations with several veteran writers at the paper who oppose his ideological line, among them Deutsch, Uri Orbach, Haim Navon and Elyashiv Reichner.
A few weeks ago Karpel and Deutsch had an argument over an issue of Nekuda devoted to the Arabs of Israel. According to a source at the paper, Deutsch wanted to interview an Israeli Arab while Karpel strongly rejected the idea. Deutsch was fired shortly thereafter.
Last week Deutsch and other journalists met with Ben-Zvi in an attempt to resolve the crisis at the newspaper and prevent the resignation of other journalists. Ben-Zvi promised the journalists who met with him that he would look into their claims, but has not taken any steps to address the disagreement with Karpel.
Deutsch said Monday that "there were ideological disagreements between me and Karpel and there were also small crises here and there, but nevertheless we succeeded in working together for a year and a half. The question of why I have stopped working now should be directed at Karpel."
Ben-Zvi has refrained from comment. Karpel could not be reached for his reaction.
