Matan Hodorov sues fitness trainer from Harish for about a quarter of a million: "A systematic homophobic harassment campaign"

Journalist and economic commentator for News 13, Matan Hodorov, is suing Harish resident Sagiv Cohen Yaron, who he claims has been conducting a campaign of sexual harassment and defamation against him for years on the X network, focusing on his sexual orientation. Hodorov demands that Cohen Yaron be ordered to delete the publications and pay him compensation of 277,336.96 NIS — even without proof of damage.

Sagiv, a veteran fitness trainer in the Zichron Ya'akov, Binyamina-Givat Ada, and Hof HaCarmel area, advertises himself as having over 20 years of experience in educating children and youth. According to the statement of claim, he has published a series of responses over the years to Hodorov's tweets which, the plaintiff claims, are not legitimate criticism, but personal attacks aimed at his sexuality and sexual orientation.

41-year-old Hodorov came out as a homosexual in 2015. He is the father of a daughter and a son, brought into the world in the USA through a surrogacy procedure.

The lawsuit details 12 publications posted between April 2023 and June 2026, which included offensive expressions and sexual remarks. It appears that the tweets have since been deleted from X. The account in question also contained explicit statements with sexual connotations unrelated to politics.

Unlike many lawsuits by media figures based on the Prohibition of Defamation Law, Hodorov chose to file the proceeding under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law. He claims that the publications constitute "degrading or humiliating treatment directed at a person in relation to their gender or sexuality," which entitles him to increased compensation under the law.

In the statement of claim, it is written that this is a "series of explicit, vulgar, and unrestrained references" published "in a deliberate and systematic attempt to degrade and humiliate him on the basis of his sexual orientation."

Hodorov, winner of the 2026 Uri Avnery Prize for Courageous Journalism, emphasizes that he is accustomed to sharp public criticism, but argues that this case deviates extremely from the boundaries of legitimate discourse. "I am not willing to accept the perception arising from the defendant's publications, as if the very fact of being a known person gives the defendant the right to humiliate, objectify, and mock my sexual orientation," he argues.

Recently, Hodorov settled a lawsuit against one Yael Adani for a similar offense of sexual harassment, which resulted in a significant compensation and an apology.

"Those who know me know that I am open to criticism of my journalistic work, and I have never sued anyone for a claim on the merits. On the other hand, those who insult me on a sexual basis will pay dearly," he added.

Adv. Yael Vizel from the Kalai, Rosen & Co. firm, which represents Hodorov, stated: "Such publications are not criticism of him as a journalist, but sexual harassment. Indeed, a series of previous proceedings taken by my client on the subject led to significant compensation, which clarifies to those with a light hand on the keyboard that sexual harassment online has a real legal and financial price."

No statement of defense has been filed yet. Sagiv Cohen Yaron could not be reached, as his mobile phone is not connected and he has not yet replied to email.