Truth in Publication: Court Dismisses MK Rothman's Libel Suit Against Guy Peleg

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court dismissed the libel suit filed by MK Simcha Rothman against journalist Guy Peleg and others, alleging he was attributed a statement about the blood of the murdered in Huwara. The judge ruled that the defendants proved the defense of 'truth in publication' and that the remarks were indeed made in a closed discussion.

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court dismissed the libel suit filed by MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Constitution Committee, against journalist Guy Peleg, CEO of Channel 12 Avi Weiss, Channel 12 and Keshet companies, and other media figures. Rothman sought over one million shekels in damages, claiming he was attributed a statement that 'the blood of the brothers Hillel and Yigal Yaniv, murdered in Huwara, is redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7' – a statement he said was never made. Judge Oren Silberman ruled that although the publication constituted libel, the defendants proved the defense of 'truth in publication.' The court relied on testimonies of three female lawyers from the Ministry of Justice who were present at the discussion, who testified that Rothman indeed said the words, even if he did not intend the meaning attributed to them, and immediately afterward clarified and retracted. Their testimonies were found consistent and credible. A note relied upon by Peleg also strengthened the defense's version. The judge criticized Rothman's procedural conduct, noting he did not present a recording at the start of the proceedings, did not summon additional witnesses, and did not have his spokesperson testify. It was determined that this was a publication about a statement by an elected official on a clear public matter, and therefore the suit was dismissed.