Ben Gvir Sues MK Eisenkot for Defamation Over Violent Content Claims

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 100,000 shekels against Knesset Member Gadi Eisenkot and Eisenkot's party. The lawsuit, filed by Ben Gvir's attorney, stems from statements Eisenkot made on the "How to Do Things" podcast, produced by Kan 11.

During the podcast, Eisenkot accused Ben Gvir of disseminating violent content on social media, particularly targeting young audiences. He alleged that this content included statements like "the only way is to kill" and "a good Arab is a dead Arab," and that Ben Gvir supported thuggery and the use of force. Eisenkot explicitly linked these phenomena to Ben Gvir, stating, "And when I look at the phenomenon called Itamar Ben Gvir."

In his lawsuit, Ben Gvir vehemently denied these accusations, calling them "an absolute lie." He asserted that he has never distributed, published, or promoted videos containing calls for murder or the phrase "a good Arab is a dead Arab."

Ben Gvir is seeking compensation without the need to prove damages, as well as a court order to remove the offending segment from all party-owned channels and platforms. He also demands a public clarification and correction of Eisenkot's statements.