Bill would allow victims to uncover identity of online defamers

By Sam Sokol 8 January 2025, 4:42 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Lawmakers during a plenum session at the Knesset in Jerusalem, January 8, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

In its preliminary reading, lawmakers vote 25-2 to in favor of a bill mandating the identification of internet users guilty of defamation.

If passed into law, the bill, sponsored by Likud MK Hanoch Milwidsky, would allow people who believe they have been defamed under Israeli law to turn to the courts to request that internet providers reveal the identity of the author of the remarks.

The bill’s explanatory notes acknowledge the right to anonymous expression, but say “the internet should not be seen as a sanctuary that allows the commission of wrongful acts or violations of rights without being held accountable.”