Democrats Party Chairman Yair Golan has filed a comprehensive civil lawsuit for 2,550,000 NIS against Sara Netanyahu, spouse of the Prime Minister. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys Giora Ardinast, Almog Gil-Or, and Yarden Shohat of the EBN firm, follows Sara Netanyahu's refusal to apologize for comments made during an interview on Channel 14, in which she implied that Golan had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack. The claim alleges that the publication led to a 450% surge in incitement against Golan on social media and resulted in the escalation of concrete threats against his life, requiring an increase in his security arrangements.
Golan claims that a consultant to the Prime Minister watched the interview before it aired, which he argues indicates premeditation. Legally, the claim is not limited to defamation. Golan seeks damages for breach of statutory duty, requesting that the court apply Section 144 of the Penal Law regarding incitement to violence. Golan contends that Netanyahu's words were intended to portray him as a 'traitor to his homeland,' causing tangible harm to his reputation and personal safety.
The complaint highlights Golan’s long career of service in the security forces and his personal efforts to rescue civilians on October 7th, asserting that the claims against him are deliberate lies. Sara Netanyahu had previously responded to the threat of the lawsuit by threatening a counterclaim. This current filing marks a significant escalation in the highly publicized political conflict, with Golan accusing the Netanyahu family of using conspiracy theories as a political tool to evade responsibility for the disaster.