The post that incriminated the senior official in Kafr Qasim: "Organized a welcome party for a terrorist"
The Magistrate's Court in Netanya dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Said Issa, a senior figure in Kafr Qasim, against journalist Meir Ettinger. The judge ruled that Ettinger's 2022 publication, claiming Issa was among the organizers of a welcome party for a released terrorist, was substantially true. Issa was ordered to pay 15,000 shekels in legal costs.
The Magistrate's Court in Netanya today (Thursday) dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by Said Issa, a senior figure in the public leadership of Kafr Qasim and a ceramics business owner, against journalist Meir Ettinger. The lawsuit concerned a publication written by Ettinger in May 2022, in which he claimed that Issa was among the organizers of a welcome party for a released terrorist from the city, who was convicted of aiding manslaughter and attempting to kidnap soldiers for Hamas. The judge ruled that Issa's testimony was "evasive, stammering, and inconsistent," and that the evidence, including a post published by the Popular Committee in Kafr Qasim, which Issa headed, proves his involvement. The post congratulated the released prisoner and included a photo of Issa alongside him. The judge determined that even if it was not proven that Issa actually organized the welcome party, his presence and public status make the publication substantially true, thus the defense of truth in publication applies. Issa was ordered to pay 15,000 shekels in attorney fees. His lawyers announced they would appeal the verdict.