Mother of Two Soldiers Ordered to Pay NIS 210,000 for Defamation Against Left-Wing Activist

Fanny Michaeli, mother of two Israeli soldiers, was ordered by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court to pay approximately 210,000 shekels in damages after being found liable for defamation against Shikma Bresler, a prominent left-wing protest leader. The court ruled that Michaeli's social media posts following the October 7th attack, which accused Bresler of betrayal, aiding Hamas, and responsibility for the massacre, constituted libel. Michaeli's claim that the lawsuit was an attempt to silence her was rejected by the court.

Bresler initially sued Michaeli for 600,000 shekels, but the court awarded 100,000 shekels in compensation plus legal fees and interest. Michaeli also faces a separate lawsuit from the organization "Brothers in Arms" demanding nearly three million shekels. Michaeli and Amalia Ozer, who supports her and claims to be sued by the same group, argue these lawsuits are part of a deliberate effort to suppress right-wing voices online and create a chilling effect on public discourse.

Ozer highlighted the resource imbalance between left-wing groups, which receive substantial foreign funding, and right-wing activists who rely on grassroots support. In response, she established the "Freedom of Speech Operations Center" and launched a crowdfunding campaign titled "We Do Not Abandon Fanny" to support Michaeli.

Michaeli described the personal toll of the legal battles, emphasizing the emotional and financial strain on her family. She expressed concern that her children, serving in combat units, must cope with the knowledge that their mother is being targeted with such heavy financial penalties in an apparent attempt to silence her voice.