Court Rules: The Shadow Loses, a Major Victory for Raviv Drucker

In depth

The Herzliya Magistrate's Court rejected the defamation suit filed by Yoav Eliasi against journalist Raviv Drucker and Channel 13. The suit was filed following statements about Eliasi's ties with Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The judge ruled that the publications are covered by defenses under the law, and that it was proven that Eliasi served as an external propaganda arm of Ben-Gvir and as a paid adviser. Eliasi was ordered to pay NIS 25,000 in court costs.

Following the ruling, Drucker said: "We proved that the claim is true." Eliasi responded with an attack on the court system and on Drucker, claiming the judge "was a second away from asking Drucker for an autograph." He announced that he intends to appeal and that "the fight is not over yet."