Former IDF Deputy Chief Dan Harel Ordered to Pay Defamation Damages to MK Tzvi Sukkot

The Central District Magistrate Court president, Judge Menachem Mizrachi, ruled decisively in a defamation case involving Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Knesset member Tzvi Sukkot, and former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major General (res.) Dan Harel. The mutual defamation claims stemmed from Harel's statements on the program "Meet the Press" after the October 7 massacre, where he alleged that "a battalion and a half from the Southern Command" was redeployed to secure MK Sukkot's sukkah in Hawara. The court found that Harel failed to prove the truth of these claims and explicitly determined that no such troop redeployment occurred, thereby dismissing what it called a "blood libel." The judge also noted that Harel, given his position, could have easily verified the facts but did not.

Consequently, the court accepted Sukkot's defamation claim, ruling that Harel's statements constituted libel. Harel was ordered to pay Sukkot 35,000 shekels in damages. Simultaneously, the court rejected Harel's counterclaim against Yossi Dagan and the Samaria Regional Council concerning harsh remarks they made about him, ruling those comments were protected under freedom of expression. In addition to the damages to Sukkot, Harel must pay legal fees of 10,000 shekels plus VAT to both Dagan and Sukkot.

MK Tzvi Sukkot responded, "Those who slander will pay dearly. Major General Dan Harel, who commanded the evacuation of Jews from Gush Katif, tried to falsely accuse me of responsibility for the horrific massacre. Today, justice prevailed as the court confirmed that no soldiers were transferred from the Southern Command to the Central Command because of me. Dan Harel will learn the hard way that there is a price for vile slanders."