Ilana Rada Urges Public Support Ahead of Forensic Expert's Testimony in Defamation Trial

Ilana Rada, mother of the late Tair Rada, issued an emotional appeal to the public ahead of the scheduled testimony of Dr. Chen Kugel, director of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in a defamation lawsuit. The trial involves Ola Kravchenko suing the creators of the documentary series "Shadow of Truth" and lawyer Yerom Halevi. Dr. Kugel's testimony is set for Wednesday at 9:00 AM at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, requested by the defendants.

In her statement, Rada emphasized that attempts to conceal, distort, and falsify facts have already been exposed during the retrial. She expressed hope that Dr. Kugel's testimony will advance the pursuit of truth. Rada praised Dr. Kugel for his professional integrity and courage throughout the case, noting he faced institutional pressure but remained steadfast.

She also highlighted that Dr. Kugel was awarded the Israel Prize during the recent conflict for his and his team's work in identifying casualties and providing certainty to families. Rada publicly supported Dr. Kugel, stating her belief that his testimony will bring justice for her daughter and some relief to her family. She concluded with a call for the public to attend the court and support Dr. Kugel, affirming, "Dr. Chen Kugel, you will never walk alone."