Bennett sues minister, MK and right-wing news channel for libel over medication claims

Naftali Bennett files a defamation suit against Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, MK Ohad Tal and Channel 14 for NIS 2 million, accusing them of making and publishing “grave falsehoods” that constitute libel.

The lawsuit centers around a recording of Silman in which she says that Bennett took lots of medication while he was prime minister “to enable him to function.”

Tal, of the Religious Zionist Party, responded to the publication by making derogatory comments that appeared to about Bennett’s mental well-being, adding, “Get well soon Naftali.”

In his libel suit, Bennett asserts that he has “never taken any medication for his mental functioning.” He says Silman made up the accusation to justify having abandoned his Yamina party and to “try and save her fading political career,” in reference to her standing in the ruling Likud party.

“The defendants published serious lies about the plaintiff that never happened. These are cheap and wild slanders that a desperate politician is inventing to mislead the public regarding the plaintiff’s mental state,” the lawsuit says.

Silman says in response to the suit, “Naftali, maybe take a chill pill. I understand that the polls are stressful.”