Communications Consultant Ronen Tzur Files $630,000 Defamation Suit Against Journalist Avishai Greenstein and i24NEWS

Ronen Tzur, a communications consultant, has filed a defamation lawsuit worth 2.2 million shekels (approximately $630,000) against Avishai Greenstein, the legal correspondent for i24NEWS, and the channel itself. The suit was submitted to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court through attorney Oren Gross. Tzur accuses Greenstein of conducting a personal, systematic, and ongoing smear campaign against him, including false claims of corruption, dishonesty, and fraud.

The lawsuit centers on several key allegations, notably Greenstein's claim that during a job interview at Tzur's office, a candidate was asked a question related to Yehuda Meshi Zahav. Tzur denies this entirely, calling the claim false and emphasizing that he has never represented Meshi Zahav, provided him professional services, or even met him. Additionally, the suit addresses two harsh tweets by Greenstein on X, where he called Tzur "the most corrupt man in Israeli media" and stated "lying is Ronen Tzur's default."

Tzur argues these statements exceed the bounds of legitimate criticism. The complaint also references a previous legal case between the two, which ended in July 2024 with a settlement requiring Greenstein to issue a public apology. However, Tzur notes that Greenstein never paid any damages and the prior defamatory publications remain online.

Greenstein responded sarcastically to the new lawsuit, questioning why the claim is only for 2 million shekels instead of 2 billion, calling the suit baseless and predicting it will end "in nothing," while wishing Tzur a healthy summer and enjoyable vacation.