Court Again Halts Order for Ex-Worker to Pay Sara Netanyahu

A Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 14, overturned for the second time in less than a year a ruling that would have required former Prime Minister's Residence employee Silvia Gancia to pay Sara Netanyahu 100,000 shekels. The court is now set to make a third ruling on the case after hearing arguments from both sides. The judge accepted a request from Gancia's new lawyer and admitted the final documents he presented. Sara Netanyahu's attorney, Yossi Cohen, has until October 15 to submit a response, after which the court is expected to issue a reasoned decision on the merits of the lawsuit. The proceedings have been ongoing for nearly six years.

The initial ruling on December 31, 2025, ordered Gancia to pay Netanyahu 100,000 shekels in damages plus 20,000 shekels in legal costs, totaling 120,000 shekels. This followed Gancia's previous lawyer's failure to submit final documents despite court warnings. In January 2026, the court canceled this decision at the request of the lawyer, who cited military reserve duty. However, documents were still not submitted after further delays.

A second ruling in May 2026 again awarded Netanyahu 100,000 shekels, but the 20,000 shekel legal costs were levied directly against the lawyer, Ofir Shimshon, to spare Gancia. Now, this second ruling ordering Gancia to pay 100,000 shekels has also been nullified. The court accepted the final documents submitted by her new lawyer, Shaul Ida, and will now consider the dispute on its substance. The 20,000 shekel charge against the former lawyer remains in effect.

During a September 10, 2026, hearing, the judge suggested the parties consider dropping the case. Cohen stated that the Netanyahus had previously been willing to drop the defamation suit if Gancia ceased labor dispute proceedings, but this option is no longer on the table. Cohen also indicated he could present a settlement offer to the Prime Minister and his wife if Gancia agreed to pay compensation and send a letter of apology to Sara Netanyahu in a proposed format, an offer Gancia rejected.

Netanyahu's defense emphasized that the current lawsuit's significance extends to other employees, who should "see and be deterred" by the outcome, especially as other legal proceedings have emerged since the filing. Cohen confirmed the Prime Minister's involvement in decisions related to the case. Following the court's decision, Ida expressed optimism for a favorable third ruling, stating his defense trusts the court and will continue to seek justice.