Court Orders Sara Netanyahu to Pay Yair Golan Legal Fees
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
A district court rejected Sara Netanyahu's attempt to dismiss a NIS 2.55 million libel lawsuit filed by Yair Golan. The court ordered Netanyahu to pay Golan NIS 2,000 in legal fees for her failed motion. The lawsuit alleges Netanyahu implied Golan had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack in a TV interview. Golan stated the ruling shows "the truth will defeat the lie" and vowed to pursue the case.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Sara Netanyahu must pay Yair Golan NIS 2,000 in legal fees after her motion to dismiss his libel suit was rejected.
- The Central District Court ruled it has jurisdiction over the NIS 2.55 million libel lawsuit filed by Yair Golan.
- Golan alleges Netanyahu implied he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack in a Channel 14 interview.
- Netanyahu had argued the court lacked jurisdiction, requesting the case be moved to Jerusalem.
- The judge stated that the interviewee and broadcaster are equally responsible for publication.
- Golan stated the ruling proves "the truth will defeat the lie" and vowed to continue the legal fight.
A district court has rejected Sara Netanyahu's request to dismiss a libel lawsuit filed against her by Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats. The Central District Court in Lod ruled on Sunday that Netanyahu must pay Golan NIS 2,000 in legal expenses and attorney fees related to her motion to dismiss the case. The lawsuit itself, filed in September, seeks NIS 2.55 million in damages. Netanyahu had argued that the Central District Court lacked local jurisdiction, requesting the case be moved to Jerusalem, where the interview was filmed. Judge Sharon Geller determined that the court does have jurisdiction, partly because the interview was also broadcast online by Channel 14. The lawsuit stems from an interview Netanyahu gave to Channel 14, aired on August 31, 2026, in which Golan alleges she implied he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack. Netanyahu claimed her involvement was limited to giving the interview, not its broadcast. The judge stated that the interviewee and the broadcaster are two sides of the same coin regarding publication. The ruling addresses only the jurisdictional issue and the motion to dismiss, not the merits of the libel claim. Golan responded, stating the decision proves "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 added, "He who spills blood and spreads 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."
