Court ruled: Guy Peleg published the truth. A victory for Channel 12 News in the libel lawsuit filed by Simcha Rothman
According to the report in the "Central Edition," Rothman said that "the blood of those murdered in Huwara is redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7." He sued Channel 12 News, but his lawsuit was rejected. The court determined that MK Rothman did indeed say what was attributed to him.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court rejected today, Wednesday, the libel lawsuit filed by Knesset member Simcha Rothman against Channel 12 News, Guy Peleg, and other defendants. Rothman filed the lawsuit following the publication of his remarks that the blood of those murdered in Huwara is "redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7." The court determined that he did indeed make the statement attributed to him.
According to the report from November 2023 in the "Central Edition," Rothman told Shin Bet personnel and Ministry of Justice representatives during a meeting that the blood of brothers Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, murdered in Huwara, is "redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7." After hearing testimonies and reviewing transcripts, the Deputy President of the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, Judge Oren Silverman, ruled that the statement is protected by the "I spoke the truth" defense.
"I found reason to trust the testimonies," the ruling stated. "The plaintiff's testimony and his conduct also reinforce the determination regarding the element of truth. His testimony regarding the 'checks' he performed after the meeting was evasive and lacked details. The conduct toward Guy Peleg — a sweeping denial instead of providing a substantive position — established in itself the justification for the publication and reinforces its veracity."
Channel 12 News was represented in the proceedings by Adv. Yigal Nakdimon, Adv. Dikla Biran, Adv. Noy Hadar, and Adv. Yarden Ivtsan.
In November 2023, it was reported that the Chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman, made harsh remarks during a discussion with Shin Bet personnel and Ministry of Justice representatives. The MK from the Religious Zionism party expressed frustration that the agencies had long ignored his demands to combat incitement against settlers.
"It should not have been necessary for so much blood to be spilled to bring about a change in policy," said MK Rothman, adding: "I do not trust the judgment of the Shin Bet. You have made improper use in the past against Jews with the tools you received." The statement that the blood of brothers Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, of blessed memory, is "redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7" left those present stunned. Rothman later retracted the remarks.
