Jerusalem Court Orders Fanny Michaeli to Pay Shkama Bresler 100,000 Shekels for Defamation

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ruled in favor of Shkama Bresler in her defamation lawsuit against Fanny Michaeli on Tuesday. The court found that a series of posts Michaeli published on Facebook and Twitter after October 7, 2023, constituted defamation. Michaeli was ordered to pay Bresler 100,000 shekels in damages, plus linkage and interest, along with 35,000 shekels in attorney fees and 5,500 shekels in court costs.

Bresler accused Michaeli of publishing dozens of posts accusing her of betrayal, aiding Hamas, and having prior knowledge of the October 7 massacre. Michaeli also allegedly called for Bresler to be investigated, have her nails pulled out, and be led to the gallows. Bresler initially sought 600,000 shekels in compensation. Michaeli denied the claims, arguing the lawsuit was a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) and that her posts were protected by truth, good faith, and opinion defenses.

Senior Judge Dorit Feinstein rejected Michaeli's defenses, ruling the posts were severe and at the high end of defamation. Michaeli failed to provide evidence supporting her claims and could not identify sources for her statements. The court also dismissed Michaeli's reliance on statements by Knesset member Tali Gottlieb. The SLAPP defense was rejected due to the volume and severity of the posts, which were repeated over nearly a month and targeted the same audience.

Although the lawsuit covered 26 posts, the court treated them as a single publication for compensation purposes but doubled the maximum damages due to the malicious intent. Michaeli was ordered to remove the posts from social media and publish a notice within 30 days stating the posts were defamatory and untrue as determined by the court.