Milchan’s assistant suing coalition chair for defamation

Hadas Klein, the assistant to Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan, who is a suspect in one of the corruption investigations involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly filed a libel lawsuit against the coalition chairman, for accusing her of obstructing the police investigation.

According to the lawsuit, Klein is seeking NIS 500,000 ($143,000) in damages from MK David Amsalem (Likud) for “damaging her reputation by spreading lies about her actions,” Hadashot TV news reported on Sunday.

The suit is reportedly a response to an interview Amsalem gave Army Radio, in which he accused Klein of leaking sensitive information about the investigation, dubbed Case 1000, to the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.

“Three months ago, I opened Yedioth and I had to pinch myself because I did not believe what I was reading,” Amsalem told the radio station at the time. “In a three-page story in the Shabbat edition, Milchan’s assistant tells us what exactly happened.”

But Klein says she never gave an interview to Yedioth, or discussed case details with any media outlet.

The suit says that Amsalem told Army Radio that the investigations into Netanyahu were an “attempted coup” by police, and implicated Klein as part of that alleged effort, thereby damaging her reputation.

It is not clear how far the lawsuit will go, as Knesset members have immunity from prosecution in civil cases, as long as they are able to prove they acted within their role as lawmakers.

Earlier this month, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges over some NIS 1 million worth of gifts, including NIS 750,000 ($212,000) from Milchan.

Investigators also recommended criminal charges against Milchan over his alleged bribes to the Netanyahus — including cigars, champagne, and jewelry — while accusing the prime minister of pushing for legislative amendments on tax breaks that would have benefited Milchan, advancing his business interests, and aiding his visa arrangements.

Netanyahu has denied all wrongdoing in that case (as well as in another, in which he is also suspected of bribery), stressing that he and Milchan have been friends for decades, and claiming that he has in fact advanced initiatives that actively harmed the billionaire’s business interests.

The attorney general will make the final decision on indictments.

Marissa Newman contributed to this report.