Court Orders Sara Netanyahu to Pay Yair Golan Legal Fees
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
A district court rejected Sara Netanyahu's bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Yair Golan, ordering her to pay 2,000 shekels in legal costs. Golan sued for 2.55 million shekels after Netanyahu suggested he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack. The court ruled that Netanyahu and the media outlet were equally responsible for the publication. Golan praised the decision, calling it proof that truth will prevail over lies.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Sara Netanyahu must pay Yair Golan 2,000 shekels in legal fees after a court rejected her dismissal request.
- The defamation lawsuit, seeking 2.55 million shekels, concerns Netanyahu's claim Golan knew about the October 7th attack.
- The court ruled Netanyahu and the media outlet equally responsible for the interview's publication.
- Golan stated the ruling proves truth will triumph over lies and vowed to protect democracy fighters.
A district court has rejected Sara Netanyahu's request to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democratic Movement. The court also ordered Netanyahu to pay Golan 2,000 shekels in legal expenses.
Golan's lawsuit, seeking 2.55 million shekels, stems from remarks Netanyahu made in an interview with Channel 14. In the interview, she implied that Golan had advance knowledge of the October 7th Hamas attack. Netanyahu had argued that she was not solely responsible for the publication of her words, but also the media outlets that broadcast and distributed the interview.
The judge dismissed this argument, stating there was no justification for artificially separating the interviewee's publication from that of the interviewing and broadcasting entity, considering them two sides of the same coin. The lawsuit was filed after Netanyahu did not apologize or retract her statements. According to the lawsuit, an advisor to Netanyahu viewed the interview before it aired. In addition to defamation, the suit also seeks civil damages for violating a criminal statute concerning incitement to violence.
Golan welcomed the court's decision, criticizing Netanyahu. "The propaganda machine does not shy away from any means, not from lies about the heroes of October 7th, nor from attempts to undermine public trust in the justice system," he stated. "Today's ruling is further proof that truth will triumph over lies." He added, "Those who spill blood and spread false accusations will not escape responsibility, we will continue until justice is served in court, and we will protect the fighters of Israeli democracy with our bodies."
