Ministers threaten libel suit against Channel 12 over funeral report

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat and a group of other Israeli ministers sent a formal pre-lawsuit notice on Thursday evening to News 12 and its “Friday Studio” program, demanding a public apology, removal of the reports, and 1 million shekels in compensation. The ministers say the money, if paid, would be earmarked for IDF soldiers. They accuse the network of publishing “extreme defamatory” claims about them and say they will sue if the demands are not met.

The dispute centers on a report aired after the funeral of Lt. Col. Dor Gdalia Ben Simhon, which said that “no government representative attended the funeral, not even a wreath was sent.” In the notice, the ministers say that was false. They argue that under the usual procedure, ministers may represent the government at IDF funerals only if the bereaved family approves the presence through the IDF casualties branch, and that in this case the family asked in advance that no government representatives attend, a request that was honored. They also say a government wreath is sent only when a minister is allowed to attend.

The ministers further claim Channel 12 aired harsh comments while showing photos from a wedding held the night before Ben Simhon was killed. The notice quotes reporter Michal Pelegan saying, “I want you to see these pictures because a few minutes ago you said that no one from the government bothered to come to Dor Ben Simhon’s funeral today,” followed by, “This is a government that urinates on its soldiers, urinates on its citizens... we urinate on you from the top, swallow it and good luck to everyone.” It also quotes military correspondent Nir Dvori saying no government representative attended and no wreath was sent, and that a government sending soldiers into Lebanon should have come to face the family.

After the broadcast, Dvori posted a correction on X saying, “Important correction and clarification: after checking at the family’s request, politicians were not invited to the funeral.” The ministers say that was not an apology, and that the original report remained available on N12 and continued to spread the same message. The signatories include Amir Ohana, Yoav Kisch, Shlomo Karhi, Amichai Shikli, Amichai Eliyahu, Gila Gamliel, Idit Silman and May Golan.