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In a landmark legal move, Israel’s Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat has filed what is reportedly the largest libel lawsuit in the country’s history against Channel 12 News journalist Omri Maniv. The suit, seeking NIS 12 million (approximately $3.3 million) in damages, was confirmed by Barkat’s office on Tuesday.
The case centers on what Barkat claims was a “false, negligent, and defamatory investigation” broadcast by Maniv. According to the 25-page legal claim, Barkat’s legal team has methodically “dismantled all of Maniv’s allegations,” presenting evidence that the investigation contained “fundamental errors, distortion of facts, and false representations” while “ignoring material information” and violating journalistic ethics.
“Freedom of expression is not freedom to demean, and freedom of the press is not freedom to defame without basis,” stated the minister’s office. “This time, Channel 12 chose the wrong target – and acted negligently. The limits of power will now have to be learned in court.”
The lawsuit identifies three main allegations that Barkat disputes as falsehoods. First, the minister rejects claims that he remains a shareholder or is actively involved in BRM, a venture capital firm, and its investment portfolio. According to Barkat’s legal team, he has had no connection to the company for 24 years, has not visited its offices, doesn’t know its managers, and transferred any shares he owned to his brother Eli.
The second contested claim involves allegations that BRM invested in a news site to purchase political influence for Barkat and to transfer funds into his personal account through advertising in exchange for regulatory benefits. Barkat’s lawyers assert that BRM never invested in the news site, either directly or indirectly.
Finally, Barkat disputes Maniv’s characterization of his wealth, rejecting the notion that he made his fortune in Israel and maintains extensive local business connections that create conflicts of interest. The claim maintains that Barkat built his wealth through international high-tech ventures, including successful exits from companies such as Check Point and Mobileye, and has no business interests in Israel’s domestic economy.
“The statement of claim exposes a pattern of lies, gross negligence, and deliberate malice on the part of Channel 12 News,” Barkat said. “This is not a journalistic mistake, but a fundamental and deep failure that stains journalism in Israel with a mark of disgrace.”
His attorney added that the lawsuit is “unprecedented in both scope and severity,” describing it as “one of the gravest cases in Israel of an obsessive, systematic, and ongoing media attack” that included publications which “through simple and readily available journalistic verification, would have immediately been shown to be fundamentally false.”
The lawsuit represents a significant challenge to media accountability in Israel and raises questions about the boundaries between investigative journalism and defamation. For Barkat, a prominent figure in Israeli politics who previously served as mayor of Jerusalem from 2008 to 2018, the case appears aimed at not just seeking damages but also publicly refuting allegations that he maintains could damage his political reputation.
Channel 12, one of Israel’s leading television networks, has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. The case is likely to be closely watched by media organizations and legal experts, as its outcome could influence the relationship between politicians and the press in Israel, potentially affecting how investigative journalism targeting public officials is conducted in the future.
The timing of this lawsuit comes during a period of heightened tensions between government officials and media outlets in Israel, with several prominent politicians having expressed criticism of what they perceive as unfair media coverage.
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8 Comments
This is a high-profile lawsuit in the mining/energy sector. It will be interesting to see if the minister can prove the reporter’s investigation was truly defamatory and not just critical coverage. Lawsuits like this can have a chilling effect on journalism, so the court will need to balance free speech against reputational harm.
Valid point. Defamation cases involving public figures are always tricky, as there is a higher bar for proving actual malice. The courts will have to carefully weigh the facts and evidence on both sides to determine if this was legitimate reporting or reckless disregard for the truth.
A $3.3 million libel lawsuit is certainly a bold move by the minister. Curious to see how the courts rule on this – the legal burden of proof for public figures is high, but the alleged distortion of facts and violation of journalistic ethics seems concerning if true. This case could set an important precedent.
Agreed, the scale of this lawsuit is striking. It will be a high-profile test case for defamation law in Israel. Regardless of the outcome, it underscores the ongoing tensions between press freedom and accountability for reporting that crosses ethical lines.
Interesting development in the mining/energy sector. It’s critical that the media maintain high journalistic standards, but public figures also need to show clear evidence of defamation to prevail in court. This case will likely hinge on whether the reporter’s investigation was negligent or simply robust critical coverage.
This will be an interesting case to follow. Defamation lawsuits can be tricky, but if the minister’s legal team can demonstrate the reporter acted negligently and distorted key facts, he may have a strong case for damages. Freedom of the press is important, but it shouldn’t shield sloppy or unethical journalism.
I agree. The limits of press freedom are an ongoing debate, and this case could provide some legal clarity on where the line is drawn. Responsible journalism is crucial, but so is holding the media accountable when they cross ethical boundaries.
A $3.3 million defamation lawsuit is certainly a bold move by the minister. While press freedom is important, journalists do need to be accountable for reporting that distorts facts or violates ethical norms. The courts will have to carefully weigh the evidence on both sides to determine if this was legitimate coverage or malicious libel.