Ex-Bar Association Head Sues Over Defamatory Billboard Campaign

Former Israel Bar Association head, Efi Naveh, has filed a NIS 10 million lawsuit against 12 defendants for a widespread billboard and advertising campaign targeting him. The suit, lodged with the Central District Court, alleges defamation, invasion of privacy, and unjust enrichment. The campaign reportedly featured approximately 3,000 advertisements across buses nationwide and large billboards in prominent locations like the Ayalon highways, Carmel Tunnels, and Geha Junction.

The lawsuit identifies businessman and entrepreneur Alex Sklar as the alleged initiator and funder of the campaign, and communications consultant and strategist Ronen Tzur as its operational leader. Also named are advertising and transportation companies, including "Knaan Media," "Norstar Media," "Deal Tov Advertising," "Egged," and "Extra Public Transport," along with their senior management.

According to the lawsuit, the advertisements used harsh epithets such as "traitor," "forger," and "liar," alongside slogans like "Efi Naveh in jail - not in Likud." Naveh asserts in his filing that he has no business, professional, or personal ties to Sklar and claims he became a target solely because he is the brother of Tzvika Naveh, who is involved in legal proceedings against Sklar.

Naveh further alleges that the advertising and transport companies were aware the publications constituted defamation. He claims they even required indemnity letters before proceeding with the advertisements, thereby unjustly enriching themselves from the campaign's budget. Naveh is seeking NIS 10 million in damages and a permanent injunction to halt further publications against him.