Sara Netanyahu Denies Access to Classified Data in Defamation Lawsuit

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated in a court affidavit that she has no access to classified security information. The statement was submitted as part of a defamation lawsuit she filed against Udi Mizrahi, the owner of the popular Telegram channel "Hadashot BaZman".

During a hearing held on Sunday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, presided over by Judge Eliad Winschall, an agreement was reached to drop the claims against several major media outlets. The lawsuit, initially filed in December 2024 for 500,000 shekels, targeted reports broadcasted by Kan 11, Channel 12, Keshet, and journalist Omri Maniv. Following remarks by the judge suggesting that the overall context raised questions of fairness while allowing for an amicable conclusion, the parties agreed that the legal proceedings would continue solely against Mizrahi.

Under the terms of the settlement, the news companies will be dropped from the lawsuit in exchange for publishing the final outcome of the legal proceedings between Netanyahu and Mizrahi. The original lawsuit stemmed from reports broadcast in December 2024, in which Mizrahi claimed he received inside information regarding high-profile military actions, including the elimination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, through indirect sources connected to Netanyahu's social circle.

During Sunday's session, Mizrahi revealed that his source for the information was the grandson of Vered Gross, a close friend of Sara Netanyahu. Mizrahi testified that information had been flowing through this channel since 2019, covering topics such as the first Iranian missile attack and ground operations in Lebanon. In her affidavit submitted prior to the hearing, Sara Netanyahu categorically denied the allegations, stating that she never discussed impending military strikes or classified operations with Gross or anyone else, and emphasized that she does not participate in security briefings.