Sara Netanyahu sues former worker who complained for libel

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is suing a former worker at the Prime Minister’s Residence for libel and breach of contract after the ex-employee told investigators that she had lied when she defended the premier’s wife in a previous statement.

The suit is seeking NIS 200,000 ($57,000) from Sylvie Genesia, who reportedly sent text messages describing how the manager of the Prime Minister’s Residence told her to pen a letter lauding Sara Netanyahu, even though Netanyahu’s housekeeping demands had brought her to tears.

Netanyahu’s lawyers accuse Genesia of lying about her being poorly treated and accuses her of extortion, though it’s not clear whom she is attempting to extort.

Sara Netanyahu faces a civil lawsuit from former employee Shira Raban, who claims the premier’s wife mistreated her during a brief stint working at the residence.