Ex-PM Bennett Sued for Defamation Over Interview Remarks

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is facing a NIS 200,000 defamation lawsuit filed by the parents of a fallen soldier, Lieutenant Shir Hagag, who was killed in a 2017 Jerusalem terror attack. Herzl and Meirav Hagag allege that Bennett falsely portrayed them as paid activists who disrupted his memorial day ceremonies during a Channel 13 interview. In the interview, Bennett claimed that the Likud party "hires paid thugs" to disrupt his memorial day ceremonies when he was prime minister. The Hagags, who participated in protests against Bennett, assert that his comments were directed at them and constitute "nonsense, lies, and malice." They stated that their good name was "trampled" by being falsely presented as "paid thugs." The couple emphasized they never received payment for their protests, which stemmed from their opposition to the formation of Bennett's government with the Ra'am party. They are seeking compensation, removal of the publications, and a public apology. A representative for Bennett denied the allegations, stating that his remarks were not aimed at bereaved families and that he holds the Hagag family and other bereaved families in deep affection and esteem.