Esteemed Journalist David Hirst Passes Away at 89 After Cancer Battle

David Hirst, a prominent journalist known for his extensive coverage of the Middle East, passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 89 due to cancer. Hirst dedicated over four decades to reporting from a region marked by conflict and transformation, shaping the understanding of pivotal events from the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War to the return of Palestinian leadership to Gaza in 1994.

Hirst’s most influential work, The Gun and the Olive Branch: The Roots of Violence in the Middle East, first published in 1977, generated significant controversy, particularly with its critical view of Israeli policies. Updates to the book followed in 1984 and 2003. The New Republic described it as “the most malignantly anti-Israeli book ever to be published in English by someone who claims to be a serious commentator.” This perspective often led to tensions with Israeli officials, who regularly criticized Hirst’s reporting as biased.

His commitment to truth led to restrictions on his access to countries such as Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, where officials took issue with his candid assessments. Hirst was one of the few journalists to report from Hama, Syria, after the army of President Hafez al-Assad launched a deadly gas attack on civilians in 1982. In his report, he wrote about “the depth of the crisis in the existing Arab order” and the failures of the ruling Ba’ath party.

Hirst’s critical lens extended to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. In a 2001 article, he described Arafat’s leadership as characterized by “notorious egotism” and “ever-growing moderation.” He effectively captured Arafat’s complex nature, noting his dedication but also his tendencies towards manipulation and control.

In his career, Hirst did not shy away from discussing controversial figures. Following the execution of Saddam Hussein in 2006, he remarked on the Iraqi dictator’s legacy, describing him as “the model of a certain type of developing world despot.” Hirst analyzed Hussein’s methods, drawing parallels to historical tyrants while emphasizing the destructive nature of his reign.

Hirst’s journalistic approach was not only fearless but also deeply analytical. Paul Webster, a former editor at the Guardian, recounted a time when Hirst was given a short deadline for a profile during the Iran-Iraq War. Hirst’s response to the tight schedule underscored his commitment to thorough journalism, stating, “How can I write a serious piece of work about a hugely important man in THREE DAYS?”

His colleagues remembered Hirst as a man of immense authority, capable of commanding attention in any discussion despite his unassuming demeanor. Journalist Jim Muir recalled meeting Hirst in Beirut, where he had envisioned a larger-than-life figure. Instead, he found a modest man whose insights carried significant weight.

Hirst’s life began in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, where he came from a middle-class English family. His interest in the Middle East developed after completing national service in Egypt and Cyprus, followed by studies at Oxford University and the American University of Beirut. He became fluent in Arabic and began his career with the Guardian in 1964, continuing his reporting until 2001, with occasional contributions until 2013.

His body of work included articles in various publications, such as the Christian Science Monitor and the Irish Times, and his book Beware of Small States: Lebanon, Battleground of the Middle East, published in 2010. In a reflective piece for Middle East Eye in November 2024, Hirst drew historical parallels between the past and present conflicts in Israel, emphasizing enduring societal divides.

In his later years, Hirst lived in France with his wife, Amina, a social anthropologist of Egyptian heritage, whom he married in 1995. Despite facing health challenges, he continued to engage with current affairs, often watching Al Jazeera for news analysis.

David Hirst is survived by Amina, his sister Ester, and brother Raymond. His legacy as a journalist is marked by his unwavering commitment to presenting the complexities of the Middle East, making him a respected figure in international journalism.