PM sues journalists, activist for allegedly spreading ‘lies and falsehoods’ over health

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu files a defamation lawsuit against journalists Ben Caspit and Ori Misgav, and activist Gonen Ben Yitzhak, alleging the three have spread lies about his health.

The prime minister is seeking compensation of up to NIS 500,000 ($135,000), in his claim to the Ramle Magistrate’s Court.

The defendants “spread false and malicious information against the prime minister,” the suit claimed, stating that the three made the following claims: “The prime minister is sick with pancreatic cancer, is unfit [to serve in his role], and more. Remarks that are lies and falsehoods. The prime minister is a perfectly healthy person for his age.”

The prime minister’s health has been under scrutiny since July when he underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker following a fainting spell at his home in Caesarea. It was only after the surgery that Netanyahu’s chronic heart condition, a transient heart block, was revealed to the public.

Netanyahu had not revealed that he had fainted before the heart monitor was implanted, nor that he had a history of cardiac electrical conduction problems.

In October 2022, Netanyahu felt unwell during prayers toward the end of Yom Kippur and underwent a series of tests at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, which reportedly came back normal.

His health was back in the headlines earlier this year when his office announced that he had come down with a bout of flu, forcing him to cancel meetings related to the running of the war in Gaza.

Protocols for the disclosure of the prime minister’s health were developed by the Prime Minister’s Office in 2010, but are not enshrined in law.