Zeev Schiff dies at 74

Zeev Schiff, one Israel’s most respected defense commentators, is dead. Schiff died Tuesday night in Tel Aviv, Ha’aretz announced. He was buried Wednesday.Schiff covered military and defense issues for Ha’aretz for more than 50 years and was considered one of Israel’s foremost experts on regional security. He was written numerous books and articles, including an international best-seller about the first Palestinian uprising, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. David Landau, editor-in-chief of Haaretz, called Schiff “supremely important” to the paper, the Associated Press reported. “He was definitely our most renowned commentator, whose name was known and respected in capitals throughout this region and the world,” Landau said.Schiff was born in France in 1932 and immigrated to Israel in 1935. After joining Ha’aretz in 1955, he served as military correspondent in Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Cyprus and Ethiopia. He is survived by his wife and two sons.