Naftali Bennett Pays Boaz Golan Court-Ordered Compensation After Lawsuit Loss

Boaz Golan, a Channel 14 presenter, revealed on July 7, 2026, that former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett transferred 12,300 shekels to his account following a court ruling. This payment was mandated after Bennett lost a defamation lawsuit he filed against Golan. Golan was represented by attorney Yigal Danino, while Bennett’s legal representation was handled by attorney Gazit Bakal.

The lawsuit stemmed from Golan’s claim that Bennett had visited a military base without authorization, which the court found factually incorrect. However, the judge accepted Golan’s defense that he acted in good faith and within his journalistic role, thus granting him protection under Israel’s Defamation Law. As a result, Bennett was not awarded damages.

Despite the court’s decision, Bennett announced his intention to appeal, a move Golan criticized as an attempt to conceal the loss until after the upcoming elections. Golan noted that if the appeal proceeds, it will only be heard post-election, coinciding with the deadline for Bennett’s payment. The court’s ruling effectively dismissed Bennett’s claims, affirming Golan’s right to report in good faith without financial penalty.

This case highlights the legal protections afforded to journalists in Israel when reporting in good faith, even if some facts are later disproven. The dispute between the former prime minister and the journalist underscores ongoing tensions between political figures and the media.