Israeli Minister Launches Legal Aid Fund for Those Harmed by Channel 12 Reports

Israeli Minister Nir Barkat has launched a new legal aid fund called "Defamation 12," personally financing it with 2 million shekels. The fund aims to provide legal support to citizens, IDF soldiers, and right-wing journalists who claim to have been harmed by false or defamatory reports broadcast by Channel 12. Barkat's initiative is part of a broader campaign against the channel, which includes a personal defamation lawsuit he filed for 12 million shekels, additional lawsuits by the Knesset Speaker and seven ministers, and a boycott of Channel 12 interviews by coalition members.

The fund seeks to encourage more individuals who believe they have been wronged by Channel 12's coverage to take legal action, signaling a shift away from tolerance toward accountability for spreading false information. The campaign has already impacted the channel's public standing, according to its proponents. Citizens, journalists, and soldiers who feel aggrieved by Channel 12 can apply for legal assistance through the fund's website, which screens eligibility for support.

This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between right-wing figures and Channel 12, reflecting heightened tensions over media coverage and political narratives in Israel.