Barak Abramov Sues Israeli Channels 11 and 12 Over Defamation Claims

Barak Abramov, owner of Beitar Jerusalem football club and the Jafainka restaurant chain, has sent legal warning letters to Israeli Channels 11 and 12 and other media outlets demanding retractions and apologies for defamatory statements. The letters, sent on July 14, 2026, by Abramov's lawyer Haim Pitchon, accuse the channels of publishing baseless allegations linking Abramov to the criminal Jerushi family and accusing him of involvement in illegal sports gambling and debt collection through violent means.

The warnings cite specific statements made on Channel 11's "Kan B'Shlosh" program and Channel 12's main news broadcast, including claims that Abramov is backed by the Jerushi brothers, that he is involved in large-scale sports betting, and that his associates were attacked by individuals connected to the Jerushi crime organization. Abramov's legal team states these claims are entirely unfounded, damaging his and his businesses' reputations, and were published without fact-checking or with intent to harm.

The letters demand that the media outlets issue immediate public retractions and apologies within 24 hours, remove the offending content, and clarify that the statements were false. Abramov also disputes quotes attributed to him during the broadcasts, asserting he never made such remarks. The warnings emphasize the severe harm caused to Abramov's standing in the competitive restaurant market and the football community, as well as the potential criminal liability for defamation.

Channel 12 has declined to comment, while a response from Channel 11 is pending. The legal actions highlight the ongoing tensions between Abramov and Israeli media over allegations connecting him to organized crime and illicit activities, which he vehemently denies.