Israeli Courts Approve Multiple Class Action Settlements
Israel's Tel Aviv District Court has approved a NIS 2.28 million settlement with cinema chain Lev, resolving a class-action lawsuit alleging a ticket price cartel. The lawsuit claimed that Lev and distribution companies colluded to inflate prices between 2013 and 2019, causing the public an estimated NIS 854 million in damages. Lev denied the allegations, stating it lacks influence over industry-wide pricing. Under the settlement, Lev will offer a NIS 6 discount on tickets and concession purchases on five randomly chosen days each month, without prior announcement. The lead plaintiff will receive NIS 10,000, and their attorneys will be awarded NIS 250,000.
In a separate case, the Central District Court approved a class-action settlement where the dating app Grindr will provide a month of its premium Grindr Xtra service for free to its non-paying users. This benefit is valued at a minimum of NIS 6.4 million, potentially reaching NIS 8.4 million. The lawsuit accused Grindr of sharing intimate user data, including HIV status, with third parties. Grindr maintained that data was shared only with operational partners and without identifying details. The settlement, reached through mediation, also includes Grindr's efforts to have data deleted and its implementation of consent mechanisms since 2020. The plaintiff will receive NIS 38,000, and their attorney NIS 700,000, plus $80,000 for expert witness fees.
Additionally, the Central District Court has authorized a class-action lawsuit against Air India concerning flight cancellations and significant delays in April-May 2024, which occurred during Iran's missile attack on Israel. The suit covers passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed by eight hours or more without receiving legally mandated services. Air India argued it was justified in canceling flights under the circumstances and not bound by standard regulations. However, the court ruled that standard consumer protection laws still applied, requiring the airline to provide food, accommodation, transportation, communication, and refunds or rebooking. Air India was ordered to pay NIS 30,000 in expenses.
Finally, the Tel Aviv District Court approved a NIS 360,000 settlement for a class-action lawsuit against Menora-Mivtachim Arena, alleging insufficient enforcement of the smoking ban during Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball games. The company will invest NIS 160,000 over five years in increased signage and security staff, donate advertising space worth NIS 10,000 to anti-cancer and clean air organizations, host a free event for 5,500 people for a designated charity, and transfer NIS 120,000 to the Ministry of Justice's anti-smoking fund. The lead plaintiff will receive NIS 20,000, and their attorney NIS 71,000.
