Court Orders Sara Netanyahu to Pay Damages in Defamation Case
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A district court has ordered Sara Netanyahu to pay 2,000 shekels in legal costs after rejecting her request to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Yair Golan. Golan sued Netanyahu for implying he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack during a Channel 14 interview. The court ruled that Netanyahu was responsible for the publication of her remarks. Golan stated the ruling proves truth will overcome lies and vowed to continue pursuing the case.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sara Netanyahu must pay 2,000 shekels in legal costs after a court rejected her bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit.
- Yair Golan sued Netanyahu for implying he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack.
- The court ruled Netanyahu was responsible for the publication of her remarks, rejecting her defense.
- Golan stated the ruling proves truth will overcome lies and vowed to continue the legal fight.
- The lawsuit also includes claims of incitement to violence.
A district court has rejected a request by Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Prime Minister, to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats. The court ordered Netanyahu to pay Golan 2,000 shekels in legal expenses.
The lawsuit stems from remarks Netanyahu made in an interview with Channel 14, where she implied Golan had prior knowledge of the October 7th Hamas attack. After refusing to apologize or retract her statements, Golan filed a NIS 2.55 million lawsuit, represented by attorneys from EBN law firm.
Netanyahu had argued that the interview was "traditional" and that responsibility for its publication lay with third parties and media outlets. However, the judge ruled that the interview was conducted with full knowledge and consent for public dissemination. The lawsuit also noted that an advisor to Netanyahu viewed the interview before it aired, which the plaintiffs claim indicates premeditation.
The judge stated there was no justification for artificially separating the interviewee's publication from the broadcaster's, calling them "two sides of the same coin and one publication." The suit includes claims of violating the law against defamation and a civil claim for incitement to violence.
Following the ruling, Golan issued a strong statement, saying, "The propaganda machine does not shy away from any means, not lies about the heroes of October 7th, nor attempts to undermine public trust in the justice system." He added, "Today's verdict is further proof that truth will overcome lies. 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."
