Labor Court Rejects Journalist Yaakov Bardugo's Claim Against Galei Tzahal, Citing Bad Faith

The Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court dismissed journalist Yaakov Bardugo's lawsuit against Galei Tzahal, in which he sought recognition of an employer-employee relationship and compensation of approximately 550,000 shekels. Judge Sharon Shavit Kaftori sharply criticized Bardugo, ruling that he acted in "extreme bad faith." Bardugo had claimed he was dismissed for political reasons, but the court found the opposite: as an experienced lawyer, Bardugo deliberately refused to become a formal employee of the Israel Defense Forces radio station to avoid personal and business restrictions. The court stated that Bardugo chose to end the contractual relationship clearly and voluntarily.

The court thoroughly rejected Bardugo's allegations of a "political purge" by the station's former commander, Tamar Altshtein, calling these claims baseless and serving a media narrative rather than facts. Programming changes at Galei Tzahal were made solely for content and ratings reasons as part of an organizational refresh. The judge emphasized that attempts to question Altshtein's professional integrity failed under evidentiary scrutiny, affirming her conduct complied with proper administrative and public media standards.

Bardugo had left the station live on air about four and a half years ago after his show "Bardugo and Wilensky" was canceled, sparking media controversy with his claims of political dismissal. However, the ruling portrays Bardugo as consciously choosing not to be absorbed as a formal employee, preserving his business and personal freedom. The court accepted the defense of Galei Tzahal and the Ministry of Defense, deeming Bardugo's lawsuit legally unfounded.

This judgment sets a significant precedent regarding employer-employee relations in public media, clarifying that individuals who opt for independence cannot later claim employee rights when convenient. Bardugo, now a senior political commentator on Channel 14, has not publicly responded to the ruling.