Tel Aviv Court Annuls Verdict Against Former Netanyahu Housekeeper
A Tel Aviv court annulled a verdict ordering a former PM residence housekeeper to pay 100,000 shekels to Sara Netanyahu, as legal proceedings over defamation continue.
A Tel Aviv Magistrate Court has for the second time annulled a verdict ordering Sylvie Genesia, a former housekeeper at the Prime Minister's residence, to pay 100,000 shekels to Sara Netanyahu. The decision followed a tense hearing overseen by Judge Ronen Ilan, who attempted to resolve the long-running defamation dispute.
Legal Back and Forth
The legal battle began nearly six years ago. The initial verdict against Genesia was issued after her previous attorney failed to submit closing arguments. Although that ruling was temporarily set aside due to reserve military duty, subsequent deadlines were missed, leading to a second default judgment in May requiring Genesia to pay 100,000 shekels alongside personal costs imposed on her former counsel.
Representing Sara Netanyahu, attorney Yossi Cohen insisted that the legal action must proceed.
"More workers, Your Honor, more workers, so that they may see and fear," Cohen stated during the proceedings.
Settlement Talks Collapse
During the latest session, Judge Ilan sought a compromise that would conclude the litigation without requiring further payments from Genesia. However, Cohen maintained that any settlement would strictly require a formal apology approved by the Prime Minister and his wife, alongside substantial financial compensation.
Genesia's new attorney, Shaul Eida, rejected the demand for an apology and characterized the lawsuit as a strategic SLAPP suit managed by figures in power. Following the hearing, the court formally accepted Genesia's newly submitted closing arguments, nullifying the previous financial penalty while maintaining personal costs against her former lawyer. Cohen has until October 15 to submit reply arguments, after which a final ruling will be delivered.
