Mother of Slain Hostage Sues Commentator for Defamation

Iris Haim, mother of the late Yotam Haim who was killed by friendly fire in Gaza, has filed a NIS 169,000 defamation lawsuit against Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) publicist and legal commentator Dov Halbertal. The lawsuit, filed in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, stems from a harsh Facebook post Halbertal published on May 10.

Halbertal's post attacked Haim after rumors circulated that she might receive protected status on the Likud party's Knesset list. He referred to her as "this contemptible woman" and "a seeker of honor and publicity who has only shone since her son's murder." Halbertal further alleged that Haim had planned her political aspirations in advance, "trampling on her son's blood for world celebrity," and concluded with the shocking statement, "On her son's grave she will write: 'How good it is that you were murdered.' Hamas did her a favor."

Haim responded to the post, denying any offers from Likud or any other party, stating she would refuse any such offer. She also clarified that she had not been approached by any political entity. Halbertal, in a phone conversation, admitted to writing the post but claimed he later felt the wording was too harsh and deleted it himself. He stated the post had only garnered a few hundred views before Haim's response amplified it.

Halbertal also claimed the rumor about protected status originated from a report by journalist Anna Barshki in the Maariv newspaper. He asserted he had faced severe backlash for his post, even from within his own community, and offered to apologize further, meet with Haim, and host her family for Shabbat. Haim's lawyers rejected his explanations, calling his response "the height of outrageous cynicism" and arguing the post was intentionally malicious, amplified by a photo of Haim with a depiction of her son behind her.

A court date has not yet been set. Halbertal later stated that he believes such lawsuits stifle free speech and that Haim is responsible for the widespread backlash he received after she publicized his deleted post. He reiterated his apology and invitation to meet.