Israeli judge: Ex-leader libeled the Netanyahus

JERUSALEM — Even by the often toxic standards of Israeli political discourse there are limits, a judge ruled Monday, awarding damages to the newly designated prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and members of his family in a libel suit they brought against another former prime minister, Ehud Olmert, who had described them as being “mentally ill.”

The ruling brought an end to a lurid and at times circus-like courtroom drama during which Olmert brought witnesses to testify about disturbing goings-on in the Netanyahu household, including accusations of afflictions such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive behavior, narcissism and paranoia.

But, according to the judge, Amit Yariv, despite all the hours of testimony, Olmert failed to establish or produce any professional medical diagnosis to back up his assertions and had gone beyond the bounds of expressing an opinion in good faith that would be protected by the principles of free speech. The judge ruled that Olmert had defamed Netanyahu; Netanyahu’s wife, Sara; and their eldest son, Yair, in a television interview that Olmert gave around the time of a bitter and inconclusive election in the spring of 2021.

“Another mendacious plot against Prime Minister Netanyahu, his wife and family has been shattered,” Yossi Cohen, the Netanyahus’ lawyer, said in a statement after the ruling, which was broadcast live.

The Netanyahus had demanded about $250,000 in damages but were awarded $18,000 in total.

“The final result is that by serving the suit, the harsh statements made by Mr. Olmert received wide exposure and were brought to the attention of the entire public,” Olmert’s lawyer, Amir Tytunovich said in a statement. “The Netanyahu family, who turned to the court in the hope of receiving a ‘certificate of sanity,’ came out without one,” he added.

The two sides have up to 60 days to appeal the outcome.

Neither Olmert nor the Netanyahus were present for the reading of the verdict in court.

Netanyahu and his rightwing and religious bloc emerged victorious from the Nov. 1 election just 16 months after he was ousted from office by a fragile coalition of opponents. Before that, he had been prime minister for 12 consecutive years — and 15 years overall — making him Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.