Former IDF General Ordered to Pay Damages for Defaming MK Tzvi Sukkot Over October 7 Criticism

The Central District Magistrate's Court ruled in favor of Religious Zionist Party MK Tzvi Sukkot in a defamation lawsuit against retired Major General Dan Harel, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Southern Command commander. The court found that Harel's statements on the TV program "Meet the Press," linking Sukkot to a shortage of IDF forces before the Hamas attack on October 7, crossed the boundaries of free speech and damaged Sukkot's reputation. Harel claimed that Sukkot's establishment of a sukkah in Hawara on the night of Hoshana Rabbah led to the diversion of a reserve battalion from the Gaza Division to secure the sukkah, causing a critical manpower shortage in the Gaza border area.

Judge Menachem Mizrahi emphasized the weight of Harel's words due to his high military rank and stated that the implied moral blame on Sukkot for the October 7 tragedy was defamatory. The court ordered Harel to pay approximately 45,000 shekels in damages and legal costs to Sukkot. Additionally, the court rejected Harel's countersuit against Sukkot and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, ruling their responses were legitimate defenses against personal attacks.

This verdict marks a significant legal victory for Sukkot, who has consistently denied the accusations as a "vile lie" aimed at defaming West Bank settlers. The ruling aligns with recent court decisions balancing freedom of expression with protecting individuals' reputations. It comes amid legislative efforts led by MK Keti Shitrit to amend defamation laws, including limiting damages for social media comments and penalizing frivolous lawsuits intended to silence critics. Judge Mizrahi underscored that free speech does not permit unfounded serious allegations that harm a person's good name.