Protest leader Prof. Shikma Bressler sharply criticized the Knesset after it voted to grant MK Tali Gottlieb immunity from criminal prosecution. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Bressler accused the parliament of turning itself into a “safe haven” for offenders who harm Israel’s security, saying, “Today, when the Knesset turns itself into a sanctuary for criminals who harm the security of the state, it is important for me to say this.” She ended on an upbeat note: “It must. It can. And it will be much better here.”
The political immunity decision came as Gottlieb faced a separate legal setback in Lod District Court. Judge Rami Haimovitch partly rejected Gottlieb’s immunity claim in a civil defamation and libel suit filed against her by Bressler, ruling that Gottlieb does not enjoy full immunity in the case.
According to the ruling, Gottlieb’s immunity covers opinions, political criticism, and remarks tied to the core of her parliamentary role. But the court said immunity is not absolute and does not protect certain factual publications, especially those involving the exposure of the identity of a security service officer, Bressler’s partner.
Because of that, the judge refused to dismiss the lawsuit outright. The result is that, despite the criminal immunity approved by the Knesset, the civil case and the monetary claim between the two women will continue.
