Attorney Threatens Defamation Suit Against Shikma Bressler Over Repeated Fake Post
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Attorney Kineret Barashi is threatening to sue Shikma Bressler for defamation after Bressler reposted a fabricated WhatsApp message. Barashi claims Bressler knew the message was fake, having previously removed it in 2023, and that her name was included in the repost. The original fake message, attributed to the late Orly Lev, criticized kibbutz residents for opposing Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bressler had previously acknowledged the message was fake and removed it, but reposted it after it reappeared on another user's account.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Attorney Kineret Barashi plans to sue Shikma Bressler for defamation over a reposted fake message.
- Barashi asserts Bressler knew the WhatsApp screenshot was a fabrication, previously removed in 2023.
- The fake message, attributed to the late Orly Lev, criticized kibbutz residents' stance on Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Bressler had previously admitted the message was fake and removed it from her account.
- The post resurfaced on another user's account, leading Bressler to share it again.
Attorney Kineret Barashi announced Wednesday evening that she intends to file a defamation lawsuit against Shikma Bressler. The legal action stems from Bressler's reposting of a screenshot that had previously been identified as fake.
Barashi stated that her name appeared in the caption of the reposted content and that Bressler was aware it was a fabrication, having previously removed it in 2023. "Good evening to Shikma Bressler," Barashi began, adding, "Since you have chosen to publish a fake once again with my name in the caption, and since you already announced publicly in 2023 that this is fake and therefore deleted it, despite the tremendous damage you caused me and others."
The original post, which first appeared on Bressler's account on November 1, 2023, featured a screenshot of a WhatsApp message attributed to Orly Lev. The message read, in part, "We must admit, the ones who got the worst of it are the pale ones from the kibbutzim. We'll give up Bibi for them? Pfft, let him stay in Gaza." Bressler had initially captioned the screenshot by saying, "Citizens of Israel, all of us, are fighting for the homeland. Our soldiers are heroes on the battlefield. The residents of the Gaza envelope showed civilian heroism that will be taught for generations. And the hate machine? It's poisoning."
Bressler later admitted the exchange was not real and had been forged, stating she opposed the spread of fakes and deleted the post upon realizing it was a fabrication. However, the post resurfaced recently on the account of Uri Gross, and Bressler shared it again. Orly Lev, to whom the fake exchange was attributed, has since passed away.
Barashi argued that due to the repeated publication, Bressler cannot claim good faith. She concluded her statement with a direct threat: "This time the good faith claim won't save you, and you and I are going to a defamation lawsuit. Goodbye."