A woman posted a message in a local WhatsApp group of business owners, identifying herself with her full name and stating her mobile phone number. The message included a clear photograph of her former employee and an invitation to speak with her before any business owner would consider hiring the employee.
The Court held that the message amounts to defamation. Israeli law defines defamation as something that its publication is likely to humiliate a person in the eyes of others, make them the target of hatred, contempt or ridicule on their part, and to harm their occupation, whether in oral, written or printed form. In addition, to determine whether a publication is defamation, the objective meaning in the eyes of a common reader shall be reviews. Here, the wording of the written message was clear and meant to prevent the employee’s employment, which enhances the harm to the employee's business. In addition, it is clear that a common employer who came across a publication of this nature would not bother to contact the employee for explanations but would rather disqualify her as a potential job candidate. Therefore, is the publication amounts to defamation.