Israeli Court Warns Netanyahu Over Non-Compliance in Defamation Lawsuit

The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, stating that judicial orders may be imposed if he fails to submit his medical records in an ongoing defamation lawsuit. The case, filed by Netanyahu against journalists Ben Caspit and Uri Misgav, and attorney Gonen Ben-Yitzhak, centers around claims about his health made by the defendants.

Judge Menachem Mizrahi, who is overseeing the case, emphasized that in defamation lawsuits, the burden of proof lies with the defendants, not the plaintiff. "In a defamation claim, the defendants must prove the truth of their statements," Mizrahi explained. He further clarified that while the plaintiff's privacy should be protected, the court must ensure a fair defense for the accused.

Netanyahu had previously submitted a document summarizing his health status, signed by his doctors. However, Mizrahi instructed that Netanyahu provide a certified copy of his medical records to the court in a sealed envelope for review only by the judge. The records will not be shared with the defendants to avoid violating Netanyahu’s privacy.

Despite the ruling, Netanyahu has not yet complied, and the court has set a deadline of about two and a half weeks for him to submit the required documents. If Netanyahu does not comply, Judge Mizrahi warned that the court would take further action, potentially issuing targeted orders for the production of documents as requested by the defendants.