Jerusalem Court Rejects MK Rotman's Defamation Suit Against Journalist and Channel 12

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Member of Knesset Simcha Rothman against journalist Guy Peleg, Channel 12 CEO Avi Weiss, Channel 12 News, Keshet Broadcasting, and four other defendants. Rothman sought 1,091,300 shekels in damages, removal of the publications, and a public apology. The suit stemmed from a November 2023 report by Peleg quoting Rothman as saying during a meeting with Shin Bet and Justice Ministry officials that the blood of the Hallel and Yigal Yaniv brothers, murdered in Hawara, was "redder" than that of victims killed on October 7. Rothman denied making this statement, calling it false, severe, and inciting, and claimed he had clarified to the defendants before publication that the quote was incorrect.

The defendants argued the report was truthful and concerned statements made by a public official in a closed discussion, noting Peleg sought Rothman's response before publishing and that the matter was of public interest. The court relied on testimonies from three attorneys present at the meeting, which supported the conclusion that Rothman did make the statement, though one witness acknowledged the wording might not have been exact and Rothman later clarified his intent. The court found no contradiction in the defense's evidence despite Rothman's witness lacking concrete memory of the meeting.

The judge ruled that since the defense of truth was proven, the defamation claim against the first four defendants must be dismissed. Regarding the other four defendants, the court found no grounds for defamation and noted they were also protected by truth and good faith defenses. Despite rejecting the lawsuit, the court did not order Rothman to pay legal costs, criticizing all parties for procedural conduct that prolonged the case. Both sides retain the right to appeal.