Bereaved Families Sue Eyal Berkovich and Channel 13 for Defamation

A group representing families of victims from the October 7th attacks, known as the "Din VeTzedek" Forum, has filed a NIS 500,000 defamation lawsuit against television personality Eyal Berkovich and Channel 13. The lawsuit stems from their portrayal on the program "Moriah and Berkovich," where the families allege they were depicted as being manipulated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party.

The forum, which comprises families who lost loved ones in the Hamas attack, vehemently denies these claims, asserting their actions are independent. "No one is operating us," the forum stated in a press release. They emphasized their right and duty to seek answers and investigate the events of October 7th, stating, "We are bereaved families who lost their dearest on October 7th, and it is our right and duty to demand answers and fight for an investigation of the disaster."

The families clarified that their pursuit of an investigation into the disaster does not make them representatives of any political entity. They reject the characterization of them as "puppets on a string" with non-existent motives or agendas. "You can criticize us, but not present us as 'puppets on a string' and attribute to us non-existent motives and missions," the families said.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, the families approached Berkovich and Channel 13, offering them an opportunity to apologize and retract their statements. "After our approach to Berkovich and Channel 13, which included an opportunity to apologize and correct, was not answered, we filed the lawsuit," the forum announced. The families concluded that the dispute will now be settled through the legal process, stating, "From now on, the matters will be clarified in court."