Netanyahu tells court rumors of pancreatic cancer amounted to a death sentence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified Thursday morning at the Tel Aviv District Court in a defamation lawsuit over reporting about his cancer diagnosis. He is suing journalists Uri Misgav and Ben Caspit, along with attorney Gonen Ben Yitzhak, claiming they published false details about his medical condition.

In the first part of his testimony last month, Netanyahu said, “My health condition is fine, I did not suffer from pancreatic cancer as reported, if that were the case I would not be here.” He added, “Anyone who claimed I was terminally ill is here, I hope. And if not, we will bring them all to court. They also said my mental state was not good.”

About two months ago, Netanyahu disclosed that he had undergone surgery and radiation after prostate cancer was found. That disclosure came after a long period in which his medical condition was concealed, fueling rumors and social media posts. As a result of the lawsuit, the Ramla Magistrate’s Court ordered him to submit his updated medical file in a sealed envelope and to specify when the disease was diagnosed.

The lawsuit centers in part on a post by Ben Yitzhak, who claimed Netanyahu was suffering from pancreatic cancer. Misgav was sued over publications that, according to Netanyahu, hinted at an undisclosed and inaccurate health problem. Caspit wrote about a meeting involving retired Maj. Gen. Amiram Levin, Netanyahu’s former commander in Sayeret Matkal, after which he said he concluded the prime minister was “unfit and dangerous to the state.”