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Robert I. Friedman
Robert I. Friedman
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Robert Friedman Obituary
Friedman primarily a free-lance writer who spent time on staff at The Village Voice and New York magazine, built his reputation as a Middle East reporter.
He wrote two books about the region, including a 1990 biography of Jewish Defense League found Meir Kahane entitled “The False Prophet.”
Four years later, while working in Israel, Friedman was assaulted by militant Jewish settlers who claimed his work had tarnished Kahane's reputation.
Friedman, whose grandparents had all left Russia for the United States due to religious persecution, was one of the country's foremost experts on the Russian mob's infiltration of America.
Friedman's book “Red Mafiya” was published in 2000 – but only after he had received death threats, including one from the United States' most powerful Russian mobster, Vyacheslav Ivankov.
Friedman is survived by his wife, his sister, and two brothers.
Copyright © 2002 The Associated Press
20 Entries
Kevin O'Donnell
August 5, 2017
A Knight for Truth and Justice. Love will be with him forever.
Daryl Friedman
July 19, 2002
When Robbie was at his worst, he was at his best.
The sicker he became, the more compassionate he was.
Everyone remembers Robbie as an extraordinary journalist. I remember Robbie as an extraordinarily compassionate brother.
Robbie - I will be remember you for the years before you picked up your pen. Your writing was merely the topping.
I'll love you always
Margaret Engel
July 11, 2002
Robert was an Alicia Patterson Foundation fellow in 1987 investigating the rise of the radical right in Israel. He did terrific work and later turned his research into a book. He took great care in reporting a very dangerous and important story. He was an exceptional journalist and all those in the APF family mourn his death.
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Bruce Shapiro
July 8, 2002
Journalists all owe Robert Friedman a huge debt for showing how transnational investigative reporting can be done. And we are losing him just when Robbie's clear insight -- into violent extremism, into the mideast -- are more needed than ever.
Sure, he was couragous. But he was also unfailingly decent and humane, two qualities not eroded by death threats, or by reporting on some of the most vicious people on earth.
Jodie Allen
July 8, 2002
As deputy editor and then editor of the Washington Post's Sunday Outlook section, I worked with Robert on many of the great pieces he did for us. He was, without qualification, one of my favorite authors not only because of the courage and quality of his investigatory reporting but because his zeal for the truth never detracted from his personal graciousness, courtesy, fairmindedness and good will. It's too bad that there are not more journalists of his caliber among us.
Jeff Stein
July 8, 2002
The closest I ever got to meeting Robert Fredman personally, I think, was via telephone a couple of times over the years. But it was almost uncanny how many times I kept coming across his work, no matter what I was working on, and discoveriung her had something important to add. I pay him the highest compliment I can muster for this often unrewarding business: He made a difference.
Joe Conason
July 8, 2002
I am so sorry to learn of Robbie's death. I have liked and admired him since we worked together at the Voice almost 20 years ago. Rarely have I known anyone as courageous as he, who faced down the threat of his violent human adversaries and of the disease that finally took his life. In that abbreviated but full life, he upheld every ideal his colleagues profess about journalism's methods and purposes. Sometimes, as Sydney Schanberg says, that was an awfully lonely mission. I send my condolences to his wife and family, and urge everyone to contribute to the fund in his memory.
David Margolick
July 7, 2002
My heart sank when I read about Robert Friedman's death, and I'm saddened -- and sobered -- to think of the stories of his that we now not read.
Jim Dwyer
July 7, 2002
Among many fine stories over the years, Robert was the first US reporter to expose the rabid band of fanatacs behind the murder of Kahane; after his story ran, this same group rather proved his point by trying to blow one of the World Trade Center's twin towers off its foundations in 1993. As I recall, he was given access to the group because an attorney thought that his tough biography of Kahane would make him sympathetic to Kahane's murderers. To the contrary: Rob put a light on their festering, and dangerous hatred. It was a brave, prophetic piece of journalism, like so much of his work. Condolences to his family, particularly his wife, Chris Dugas.
spencer ackerman
July 6, 2002
Carried "Zealots for Zion" around fanatically for a week two summers ago. Didn't always agree with his analysis, but his contributions were enormous. Would that every journalist follows his brave example. RIP
Philip Nobile
July 6, 2002
Rob was not only a brave and honest journalist, but a wonderful human being. It was a pleasure to know him and an imperative to admire him.
Sydney Schanberg
July 6, 2002
Robert Friedman looked into difficult corners that other reporters were too timid to examine. He took on stories that establishment journalism intentionally sidestepped. He exploded conventional wisdom with great shoe-leather reporting. He wrote for his readers, not for his bosses. Would that work like his was the encouraged norm and not the exception today. His death is a big loss.
Eric Alterman
July 6, 2002
I did not always agree with his political views, particularly on Israel, but Robert Friedman was a hell of a reporter, and it was his brave commitment to getting the story that ultimately killed him. My condolences to his widow, Chris Dugas.
Mark Hand
July 5, 2002
It's been a few years since I've read any of Robert Friedman's writings. But his Village Voice pieces from a decade or more ago still are clear in my memory for their depth of research and lucid prose. His great biography of Meir Kahane should be read today by those trying to understand why someone like Sharon is able to hold so much power in Israel. I am sad that Mr. Friedman has died so young and that I will not be able to read any new investigative pieces authored by him. I will take this occasion to pull False Prophet off my bookshelf for another read.
ameer rafique
July 5, 2002
Robert Friedman was a brave and resourceful reporter.I avidly read his reports on the Middle East and Russia.He followed the true reporters dictum ;go where the facts lead without fear or favor.There are very few like him and his corageous repoting will be sorely missed.
Todd Gitlin
July 5, 2002
I admired and learned from his work, and will miss him.
molly gordy
July 5, 2002
my heart goes out to chris dugas, an outstanding reporter and person in her own right, for her willingness to share her husband with the rest of us who so needed his work. it cost him his life, and more years they could have spent together. but in an era where journalism is plummeting down a rabbit hole of sleazy greed and narcissism, robert's light shines eternal. G-d bless and keep you both.
Steve Wasserman
July 5, 2002
I learned of Robert Friedman's death and wish to record here my condolences to his family and to acknowledge the loss to journalism his passing represents. I remember Robert as an indefatigable reporter consumed with a desire to expose evil. His tenacity of purpose was admirable as was his courage at going after difficult, even dangerous stories. That he should succumb to an illness contracting while seeking to expose the wicked and ruinous conditions that keep some women in India in slavery is, alas, no surprise. Robert was selfless in his devotion to truth. Oscar Wilde was remarked that anyone can make history, but only a great man can write it. Robert was a great man.
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