Barak Abramov Sues Israeli Public Broadcaster for $275,000

Businessman Barak Abramov, owner of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club and the "Japanika" restaurant chain, has filed a NIS 1 million (approximately $275,000) defamation lawsuit against the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan 11). Abramov alleges that the broadcaster severely damaged his reputation by falsely linking him to organized crime figures.

The lawsuit centers on Kan 11's reports claiming Abramov granted franchises to members of the Jarushi crime family for his restaurant chain, effectively making them business partners. Abramov vehemently denies these allegations through his lawyer, Haim Pitzon, stating the crime family has never had any ownership or involvement in his business.

Abramov contends that the reports were published without adequate fact-checking or seeking his response, distorting reality. He claims the opposite is true: he is not collaborating with criminals but is an innocent victim of a violent gang war between the Musli and Jarushi crime organizations.

According to the lawsuit, this gang war has involved grenade attacks, explosives, and arson attempts targeting his businesses. Abramov asserts that Kan 11's "false coverage" has not only devastated his public image but also caused a significant economic downturn and severe financial losses to his restaurant chain, the full extent of which is still being determined.