Labor Court Rejects Yaakov Bardugo's Political Dismissal Claim Against Galei Tzahal

Yaakov Bardugo, a commentator for Channel 14, must pay Galei Tzahal 50,000 shekels after the Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court dismissed his lawsuit demanding over half a million shekels. Bardugo claimed he was politically dismissed from the military radio station, but the court found he chose to end his relationship with the station and provided no evidence supporting political motives for his termination.

Bardugo had worked at Galei Tzahal since 2006, hosting programs such as "Machshavot Ba'am" and the evening news diary. In 2016, he declined an offer to become a salaried employee due to restrictions associated with the status of a civilian IDF employee. In February 2022, acting commander Galit Altshtein ended Bardugo's role on the evening diary but assured him he could continue his weekly show and offered another commentator role. Bardugo publicly claimed political dismissal the next day and left the studio.

He filed a lawsuit alleging employer-employee relations and political discrimination, seeking compensation for wage differences, lack of prior notice, discrimination, and non-monetary damages totaling 564,880 shekels. The court rejected all claims, ruling Bardugo effectively ended his broadcasts and did not prove any intent by the station to terminate their contract. It also found no evidence linking Altshtein's decision to political motives or Defense Minister Benny Gantz's appointment.

The court further ruled Bardugo was never an employee since he refused the salaried position due to the associated limitations and his other business activities. The judge criticized Bardugo for acting in bad faith by filing the lawsuit despite these facts. His claim for wage supplements was also dismissed due to lack of evidence. Consequently, Bardugo must cover Galei Tzahal's legal costs of 50,000 shekels.

Summary: The Tel Aviv Labor Court dismissed Yaakov Bardugo's political dismissal lawsuit against Galei Tzahal, ruling he voluntarily ended his work and failed to prove political motives, and ordered him to pay 50,000 shekels in legal fees.