| Tel Aviv-Jaffa Magistrate’s Court
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| Civil Case 35683-09-25 Peleg v. Magal et al.
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| Before the Honorable Judge Roy Shachar
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| Theplaintiff: | Guy Peleg
By Attorney Assaf Sharaf |
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Against
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| Thedefendants: |
1. Yinon Magal 2. Israeli Jewish Channel Ltd. By Adv. Yigal Danino and/or Sarit Bar |
Judgment
Prior to a claim in the amount of ILS 160,000 under the Prohibition of Defamation Law, 5725-1965 (hereinafter - the "Prohibition of Defamation Law") filed by a journalist and commentator on Channel 12 against a journalist and presenter of a television program on Channel 14 (hereinafter - the "Defendant") and against a company with a license to broadcast news (hereinafter - "Channel 14") concerning the defendant's statement on Channel 14 that the plaintiff did not serve in the IDF, or was discharged after two days.
The plaintiff claims that the aforementioned publication constitutes defamation on the part of both the defendant and Channel 14; the defendants claim defenses under the law, in particular the defense of expressing opinion (in the distinctions between the defendant and Channel 14), and alternatively, for leniency in awarding the amount of compensation on the basis of an amendment to the defendant's words.
Factual and procedural background:
- On August 9,2025, Channel 14 broadcast the program "The Patriots, " in which a dialogue took place between the defendant and other panelists. The program said the subject of the dispute. I will reflect the course of events in the program as it emerges from the video segment that was submitted to the court file on March 22,2026.
- At the beginning of the above segment, the panelists talk about Israeli and international media (up to 0:26 seconds);
The defendant then talks about the demoralization that the Israeli media creates, according to him, regarding the government's policy and the prime minister's conduct in the context of the war in Gaza (min. 0:26 to min. 0:54).
At this stage, the defendant asks to be shown to his viewers a video clip of the plaintiff's remarks on Channel 12 ("Show Me Guy Peleg") in which the plaintiff speaks about the position of the Chief of Staff and the position of the heads of the defense establishment vis-à-vis the position of the Prime Minister, and voices harsh criticism of cabinet members and government members (0:54 to 1:23);