Tel Aviv Court Rules Against Journalist Haim Levinson in Defamation Case Filed by Channel 20

A Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court ruled against Israeli journalist Haim Levinson in a defamation lawsuit filed by Channel 20 (now Channel 14). The court ordered Levinson to pay a total of 30,000 shekels in damages and legal fees. The lawsuit stemmed from a tweet Levinson posted nine days after the formation of the "change government," in which he criticized Channel 20 for continuing to refer to Benjamin Netanyahu as the de facto prime minister despite Naftali Bennett's appointment to the role.

Channel 20 claimed Levinson's tweet portrayed them in a mocking light and damaged their professional reputation. Levinson, represented by attorney Dor Liond, argued the tweet was satirical and protected under freedom of expression, reflecting the channel's actual broadcasts. However, Judge Aryeh Biton rejected this defense, ruling that the tweet caused harm by humiliating and disparaging the channel as biased and not reflecting reality.

Levinson expressed deep disappointment with the verdict, calling it an infringement on free speech and announced plans to appeal to the District Court. He acknowledged the financial burden of the legal costs and asked his followers for monetary support via Bit to continue the legal fight. Levinson stated, "I could have apologized and ended this early, but the channel is ridiculous, and that's the truth," emphasizing his commitment to the cause despite the expenses.