Netanyahu Aide Threatens Lawsuit Over 'Blood Libel' Campaign
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Tzachi Braverman, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has threatened a lawsuit against Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael! party for a campaign ad. The ad, which appeared on billboards and online, depicted Braverman with a Qatar flag, implying improper ties. Braverman demands the removal of the ads, a public apology, and compensation, threatening legal action seeking at least half a million shekels if his demands are not met within 24 hours.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman is suing Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael! party over a campaign ad.
- The ad depicted Braverman with a Qatar flag, which Braverman calls a "blood libel" and "wicked fabrication."
- Braverman demands the removal of all campaign materials and a public apology within 24 hours.
- He is seeking at least NIS 500,000 in damages if his demands are not met.
- The lawsuit also names Fattal Hotels and Mega Media Ltd. for displaying a billboard.
- Braverman asserts he has no negative ties to Qatar and acts solely for Israel's security.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, is threatening a substantial lawsuit against Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, over a campaign advertisement. The ad featured Braverman's image alongside Netanyahu and advisor Yonatan Uriach, under the slogan "On 27.10 we decide: Yisrael! or Qatar." Braverman's legal team sent a demand letter on Thursday, giving recipients 24 hours to remove the publications, issue a public apology, and pay damages. Failure to comply could result in a lawsuit seeking at least half a million shekels.
The demand letter was sent not only to Eisenkot and his party but also to Fattal Hotels, Nadav and Assaf Fattal, and Mega Media Ltd., due to a billboard displaying the campaign on the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Ramat Gan. Braverman argues that his image next to the Qatar flag falsely implies he is working for Qatar or is involved in activities detrimental to Israel's interests. His lawyer stated that Braverman is a public servant, not a politician, and has no negative or criminal ties to Qatar, with all his actions conducted in his official capacity for Israel's security.
The letter asserts that the campaign constitutes a "complete lie, a wicked fabrication, and a blood libel from top to bottom." Braverman's lawyer claims the ad goes beyond legitimate political criticism by attributing to Braverman involvement with a foreign state, labeling him a traitor to national interests and endangering his personal safety. The demands include removing all publications featuring his image in connection with Qatar within 24 hours, issuing a public apology and clarification across all campaign channels, and a televised apology.
Braverman is also seeking NIS 175,000 in compensation from each advertiser as a settlement offer. If this is rejected, he plans to sue for at least NIS 500,000, plus legal expenses. The letter emphasizes that no attempt was made to obtain Braverman's response before the campaign's launch, suggesting bad faith. The lawyer contends that using Braverman's image in a party's election campaign, despite him not being a candidate, is intended to harm his reputation and serve political aims.
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