Senior 'Brothers in Arms' Member Sues Deputy Minister Almog Cohen for NIS 2.6 Million Over Defamation

A senior figure from the Israeli organization "Brothers in Arms" has filed a defamation lawsuit against Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, demanding compensation of 2.6 million shekels. The suit follows Cohen's public statements linking the senior member to the controversial case of Asaf Shmuelovitz, known as the "Impostor Officer," who is an activist within the same organization.

The lawsuit comes just days after Cohen revealed the name of one of the founders of "Brothers in Arms" during a speech in the Knesset, despite a district court order prohibiting the publication of that name. Cohen repeatedly associated this senior member with the Shmuelovitz affair, although reports indicate there was no prior acquaintance between them, except that the officer gave Shmuelovitz a ride the day after the October 7 massacre.

During his Knesset speech, Cohen also criticized the court's decision, stating, "The same judge who thinks he intimidated me, I have news for you. I have faced death more than once. If you think you scare me with the gag order... I say again, he is the one who brought Asaf Shmuelovitz into the Southern Command."

Following these remarks, the senior "Brothers in Arms" member initiated the defamation claim. Details of the lawsuit and Cohen's response have not yet been disclosed. The case has been submitted to the court, with further specifics pending.