Israeli court dismisses Smicha Rotman's defamation suit against journalist and media outlets

Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ruled that the defamation lawsuit filed by Knesset member Smicha Rotman, chair of the Constitution Committee, was dismissed. Rotman had sued journalist Giya Peleg of Channel 12, the news‑12 broadcast, and several social‑media users for allegedly stating that the blood of the brothers Hallel and Yigal Yiniv, murdered in Hawara, was “redder than the blood of the victims of October 7.” Rotman denied making the remark and sought 1,091,300 shekels in damages.

The court, presided over by Judge Oren Silverman, found that the contested statements had indeed been made, but the defendants successfully proved the truth defense, showing that the comment reflected factual matters discussed in a closed meeting with Shin Bet and Ministry of Justice officials. Consequently, the defamation claim was rejected, and the plaintiffs were not awarded costs. The judge also held that the four social‑media users who reposted the report were protected by the “good faith” and “truth of publication” defenses and were not liable for defamation.

The decision emphasized the public interest nature of the remarks, given Rotman's status as a public official, and highlighted the credibility of Ministry of Justice witnesses who attended the meeting.