Parents of Slain Soldier Sue Naftali Bennett for Libel

Herzl and Meirav Hagag, the parents of Lieutenant Shir Hagag, who was killed in a terror attack, have filed a NIS 200,000 libel lawsuit against former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The couple claims Bennett implied they were paid activists of the Likud party, hired to disrupt his speeches at memorial ceremonies. They are seeking NIS 200,000 in damages, a public apology, and the removal of relevant online content.

The lawsuit, filed at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court, centers on a television interview where Bennett alleged that the Likud party hired paid activists to disrupt his speeches during his tenure as prime minister. "The Likud hires people with megaphones," Bennett stated, asserting with "100 percent" certainty that they were paid and inviting lawsuits.

The Hagags contend that Bennett's remarks referred to them, as their protest against him at memorial day ceremonies was widely covered by the media, making their identity as protesters known. They assert that these accusations are false and baseless, emphasizing they have never received payment from any political entity for their participation in protests. Their opposition to Bennett, they state, stemmed from a sense of betrayal of his election promises and disagreement with the formation of a government including the Ra'am party, not financial motives.

According to the lawsuit, the Hagags initiated a campaign against Bennett's participation in memorial ceremonies prior to the day itself, an initiative driven by their personal beliefs and grief as bereaved parents. They argue that being portrayed as paid actors damages their good name and the credibility of their public activism over the years. The Hagags are prominent figures in the "Choosing Life" bereaved families forum, engaging in public and legal battles against entities with ties to terror organizations.