Radio Station and Reporter Fined Over Phone Hacking

A judge has ordered Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) and its reporter Hadas Steif to pay over 600,000 shekels to Avi Noach, the former chairman of the Israel Bar Association. The ruling comes after a seven-and-a-half-year legal battle concerning the alleged hacking of Noach's mobile phone and the use of information obtained from it.

Noach had sued Steif and Galei Tzahal for 7 million shekels, claiming that his private calls and personal life were exposed, with some details broadcast to the public and other media outlets. He alleged that this occurred in violation of the law and through criminal offenses.

The lawsuit was initially filed against Steif, "Ma Bo'er" host Razi Barkai, program editor Nurit Kanti, head of the news department Ilail Shahar, and Galei Tzahal commander Shimon Elkabetz, all of whom Noach claimed were exposed to the material. However, the claims against Barkai, Kanti, and Shahar were dismissed by the court.

Steif's information, reportedly passed to the police, led to an investigation into Noach regarding an alleged bribery case involving sexual favors. That case was ultimately closed against Noach and a retired judge due to a low likelihood of conviction and evidentiary challenges.