Court Rules Yinnon Magal Defamed Guy Peleg Over Military Service Claims
A Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has ruled that Channel 14 host Yinnon Magal defamed Channel 12 journalist Guy Peleg by falsely stating Magal did not serve in the IDF. The court found Magal's assertion that Peleg was discharged after two days to be a factual error that harmed Peleg's reputation.
Presiding Judge Roee Shahar determined Magal's statement was presented as fact, not opinion, and implied Peleg evaded military service. The court noted the facts were not verified before being broadcast in August 2025. Peleg, who served a full regular service and 16 years in reserves despite a chronic illness, had sued for NIS 160,000.
The court awarded Peleg NIS 7,500 in damages, a sum significantly lower than claimed, and denied legal costs. Judge Shahar cited Magal's subsequent broadcast correction and the discrepancy between the NIS 160,000 lawsuit and the NIS 50,000 demanded in a pre-litigation letter when determining the compensation amount.
Additionally, the court dismissed Peleg's lawsuit against Channel 14, ruling the network could not have anticipated Magal's live broadcast remarks.
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