Reporter and Media Personality Exchange Barbs Amid Legal Threats

A public dispute between Channel 12 reporter Omri Maniv and media personality Shira Margalit has escalated, with Margalit threatening legal action over alleged defamation and slander. The conflict began after Maniv published an investigation into gifts received by senior IDF officials, including former head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva. Haliva reportedly accepted a World Cup commemorative ball worth 250 shekels and a 120-shekel toiletry bag in late 2022.

Maniv contrasted Haliva's actions with those of other officers, such as Brig. Gen. Amit Saar, who reportedly transferred valuable gifts to the state. Maniv also personally attacked Margalit, calling her "stupid" and "privileged" due to her family connections, and accused her of using her influence to protect Haliva, her former husband and the father of her children.

Margalit rejected Maniv's claims, stating she is calm and will let the law address his "big mouth." She argued that refusing gifts in Qatari culture could be seen as disrespectful and questioned the journalist who gave Haliva the toiletry bag. The dispute broadened to include Haliva's responsibility for the October 7th failures and the documentary series "Enemies," which Margalit helped produce.

Maniv alleged the series portrays Haliva favorably and downplays his role in the failures. However, the series' director, Yaron Niski, previously stated Margalit was not involved in the episode about Yahya Sinwar and that the series focuses on enemy leaders, not Israeli military accountability.

While Margalit has not yet filed a lawsuit, she has issued a public warning. This is not the first time Maniv has faced legal threats; he was previously threatened with a lawsuit by Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, sued for libel by the mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, and was involved in a lawsuit dropped by Sara Netanyahu.