Israeli Court Rules in Favor of Teacher After Years of Defamation by Left-Wing Activists
A teacher from Ramat Hasharon, Bat Zion Ziskind, has won a rare and significant defamation case against left-wing activists who targeted her with a politically motivated smear campaign. The legal battle, which began in 2019, ended with the court awarding Ziskind compensation after years of harassment and false accusations. Attorney Rachel Berger Shechter, who led the case, revealed that the activists distorted a classroom incident involving a discussion on conspiracy theories, falsely claiming Ziskind taught that Yigal Amir did not intend to assassinate Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
The activists, who managed a local Facebook group, spread these defamatory posts without presenting any supporting witnesses, such as students or parents, during the trial. The court condemned their actions as driven by political bias against Ziskind, labeling her a right-wing supporter and "Bibi-ist" due to her public political views and attendance at a pro-Netanyahu demonstration. The judge, Guy Hyman, applied the "control test," holding group administrators fully responsible for content posted by others and emphasizing their duty to uphold standards of responsible journalism.
Berger Shechter described the ruling as a watershed moment for the right-wing camp in Israel, signaling an end to tolerance for politically motivated defamation and online bullying. She highlighted the court's rejection of the activists' narrative and its strong message that online platforms are not safe havens for spreading lies. The attorney also criticized the exploitation of Rabin's assassination for political gain, stating that the late prime minister would be appalled by such misuse.
The verdict restores public confidence in the judicial system's ability to deliver justice when facts prevail over political noise. Berger Shechter concluded that the ruling sends a clear message that the reputations of right-wing individuals will no longer be disregarded and offers hope to all who seek truth and justice in Israel.
