The Lod District Court partially rejected Knesset member Tally Gotliv’s claim of parliamentary immunity in a defamation lawsuit filed against her by protest leader Prof. Shikma Bressler. Judge Rami Haimovich ruled that Gotliv does not enjoy full immunity in the case, so the civil proceedings will continue.
According to the ruling, Gotliv is protected for opinions, political criticism, and statements tied to the core of her parliamentary role. But the court said that immunity is not absolute and does not shield her from certain factual publications, especially those involving the disclosure of the identity of a security official, Bressler’s partner.
After the decision, Bressler spoke on Rino Zror’s program on Galei Tzahal and welcomed the outcome. “We are pleased with the decision,” she said. “It should be clear that even members of Knesset are not allowed to spread lies and defamation. This harms all of us.”
Because the judge refused to dismiss the lawsuit at the outset, the civil dispute between the two women will move forward.
