Ben Gvir threatens massive lawsuit, demands one million shekels from ynet

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has sent a urgent pre-lawsuit warning for defamation against the ynet website and reporter Liran Tamari, following an article about an incident in Mitzpe Yericho. The warning letter claims the reporter published false and contradictory versions regarding Ben Gvir's involvement in the incident, attempting to harm his reputation and create discord between him and Israel Police officers. Ben Gvir demands the removal of the article and compensation of one million shekels.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and his party 'Otzma Yehudit' have approached through the Wolf law firm with an urgent pre-lawsuit warning against the ynet system of the 'Yedioth Ahronoth' group and reporter Liran Tamari. This follows an article published regarding clashes that occurred in the settlement of Mitzpe Yericho. According to the warning letter, the reporter contacted the minister's spokesman late at night requesting a response to an incident in Mitzpe Yericho, presenting testimonies from a police officer claiming the minister arrived at the scene, behaved aggressively, threatened officers, and demanded they come to protest against the public. After the minister's spokesman explicitly clarified that the minister was not present at the incident at that time, the reporter repeatedly changed his versions – initially claiming the minister arrived late, then changing the times, and finally publishing an article containing lies and half-truths. The letter emphasizes that this is a false, foolish, and defamatory publication, constituting a severe violation of the Defamation Law. It also notes that the publication was made in bad faith and in a biased manner, attempting to harm the minister and his authority. The letter states that the publication tries to create a false impression of a conflict between the minister and the police, precisely when Minister Ben Gvir has provided unequivocal backing, unprecedented budget increases, recruitment of thousands of police officers, and a 40% raise in police salaries. The warning letter demands that ynet remove the article and pay compensation of 1,000,000 NIS to the minister and the party. Sources close to the minister clarify that if the demands are not met, a massive lawsuit will be filed in court.