Husband of Incoming Finance Chair Threatens Defamation Suit Against Former Committee Head

Itai Ben-Chorin, husband of the designated Finance Committee chairwoman Liran Avishar Ben-Horin, has sent a letter of warning to former committee chairman Hanoch Milvitzky, threatening a defamation lawsuit. The dispute stems from remarks Milvitzky made in a radio interview, claiming "enormous pressure from the banks" was exerted during the last Knesset term through Ben-Chorin's firm. Ben-Chorin vehemently denied these allegations on social media, calling it "the easiest defamation suit in history" and demanding a public apology and correction within 24 hours, or he would file suit.

Milvitzky had stated in the interview that the Knesset's work on bank capital gains tax, which resulted in banks paying an additional three billion shekels in 2026, faced "enormous pressure from the banks, through, among others, Itai Ben-Chorin's office." Ben-Chorin's warning letter asserts that Milvitzky's claims are false and damaging, stating his company never represented banks, acted on their behalf, or dealt with their taxation or profits. The letter emphasizes that his firm had no connection to the issue Milvitzky raised and that the implication of his involvement in pressuring the Finance Committee is harmful to his company's reputation and client relations.

Ben-Chorin further attacked Milvitzky, stating the former MK "forgot he no longer has immunity" and accused him of lying. He reiterated that the claim of exerting pressure regarding banks is "an absolute lie," asserting he did not engage with the issue for even a minute and is not a lobbyist for banks, nor does he deal with bank regulation. He vowed to pursue the lawsuit to correct the record and protect his professional reputation.

Meanwhile, Liran Avishar Ben-Horin, who was appointed chairwoman of the Finance Committee this week, faces potential conflicts of interest due to her husband's role as co-CEO and owner of the public relations and strategic consulting firm Ben-Chorin Alexandrovich. The firm represents numerous clients across various sectors, including financial institutions like Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, Cal, and Altshuler Shaham, whose interests could be affected by discussions on bank fees, taxation, and pension savings.