Ben-Gvir Threatens Lawsuit, Demands NIS 10 Million Over Report

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and his party, Otzma Yehudit, have sent a pre-lawsuit notice to the news website ynet and reporter Liran Tamari, demanding NIS 10 million in compensation. The notice, issued by the Wolf law firm, concerns a report published about confrontations in the settlement of Mitzpe Jericho.

According to the notice, Tamari contacted the minister's spokesperson late at night seeking comment on an incident in Mitzpe Jericho. The reporter presented evidence from a police officer alleging Ben-Gvir arrived forcefully, threatened officers, and demanded they protest publicly. The spokesperson clarified that the minister was not present at the time.

The notice claims Tamari repeatedly changed his story after being told the minister was absent, initially stating Ben-Gvir arrived late, then altering the times, before publishing a report containing falsehoods and half-truths. The legal letter asserts the publication is false, foolish, and defamatory, constituting a severe violation of the defamation law.

It further states the publication was made in bad faith and with intent to harm the minister and his authority, attempting to create a false impression of conflict between Ben-Gvir and police officers. The notice highlights Ben-Gvir's actions to support police, including unprecedented budget increases, recruitment of thousands of officers, and a 40% salary raise.

Ben-Gvir demands ynet immediately remove the article from all platforms and pay NIS 1 million to him and Otzma Yehudit as compensation.