Sara Netanyahu Drops Lawsuit Against Israeli TV Networks

Prime Minister's wife Sara Netanyahu has agreed to drop a NIS 500,000 defamation lawsuit against Channel 12 News, Keshet Broadcasting, Kan 11, and journalist Omri Maniv. The lawsuit stemmed from reports alleging Netanyahu leaked sensitive security information about a planned assassination of Hezbollah leader prior to the operation. As part of the settlement, the media outlets will publish the court's ruling in the same format and on the same channels where the disputed publications aired.

However, the legal battle is not entirely over. Oudi Mizrahi, manager of the "News in Time" Telegram channel, remains the sole defendant, refusing to retract his claims and insisting on defending his version of events in court. The core of the case involves allegations that information about the assassination was passed from Sara Netanyahu to her friend Vered Gross, and then disseminated further. Mizrahi described a convoluted information transfer mechanism during a hearing, suggesting information was sought from a grandson, who would ask his grandmother, who would then ask Netanyahu.

Netanyahu, present at the hearing, reacted with a scoff to Mizrahi's testimony. Mizrahi was also quoted as testifying about the indirect connection, stating he understood the process was dangerous but did not want to expose or harm the grandmother, whom he described as charming and credible.

Netanyahu vehemently denies these claims. In a submitted affidavit, she emphasized her connection with Gross was limited to sporadic conversations and meetings, never concerning operational activities, attacks in Iran, or targeted assassinations. She stated, "I do not participate in security discussions and do not have access to security information," and announced she would not call witnesses on her behalf.

The shift towards settling with the television networks occurred after Judge Aviador Winshel suggested the parties reach an agreement, noting the general context raised questions of fairness. Both sides accepted the suggestion, narrowing the case to a specific proceeding against the Telegram channel manager.

This development occurs amidst other ongoing legal challenges for the Prime Minister's wife. Recently, a court rejected her request to dismiss a libel suit filed against her by former MK Yair Golan, ruling her claims were "baseless" and ordering her to pay NIS 2,000 in legal costs.