Court Issues Restraining Order Against Social Media Star Michel Tronny

A court has issued a restraining order against social media personality Michel Tronny, prohibiting him from harassing, surveilling, or infringing on the privacy of the wife of Kan News reporter Daniel Elazar. The order, reported by Avishai Grinzaig, was issued following an escalation and threats directed at Elazar's wife, with Grinzaig expressing support for the journalist and his family. Tronny, known for founding "Animal Police," has been in a protracted dispute with Elazar, stemming from investigative reports Elazar published in 2021 concerning the company "Amuza," which involved Tronny and Denis Cherkov. These reports alleged customer deception and financial harm, claims that Tronny and Cherkov denied, subsequently filing a defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster and its personnel.

This is not the first legal confrontation between the parties. In December 2022, a previous restraining order was partially granted to Elazar against Tronny and Cherkov, forbidding them from contacting, harassing, threatening, or stalking Elazar, and requiring them to stay 200 meters away from his home and workplace. However, the judge in that case also criticized Elazar's conduct, noting that his responses to Tronny and Cherkov escalated the situation. The judge clarified that Elazar's behavior did not negate his right to protection but influenced the duration of the order.

In a separate case decided in December 2024, Elazar was ordered to pay 8,000 shekels to Olga Nikolayeva, Cherkov's partner, for defamation. This ruling concerned a video Elazar filmed and published in court, containing offensive remarks about Nikolayeva. Elazar also filed a lawsuit for 1 million shekels in January 2026 against Tronny, Cherkov, and two others, alleging a smear campaign and impersonation.

The dispute over the "Amuza" investigation's defamation claims is reportedly still ongoing as of January 2026. The broadcaster has stated that Elazar filed a complaint regarding extortion and threats, denying allegations that he sought or received money to remove a report. The specifics of the latest restraining order against Tronny remain unclear without the full court decision, but it reportedly addresses harassment and privacy violations.