Minister Nir Barkat said Thursday that he is done being afraid of Channel 12 and is fighting back, accusing the network of defaming Israel and causing IDF soldiers to be viewed as criminals worldwide. The statement is the latest in his ongoing legal campaign against the network, which includes a personal defamation fund and lawsuits.
Minister Nir Barkat released a sharp statement on Telegram Thursday evening, declaring he is done fearing Channel 12 and is fighting back, accusing the network of defaming Israel and causing Israeli soldiers to be viewed as criminals worldwide. The statement, posted at 19:10 Jerusalem, marks the latest rhetorical escalation in his ongoing legal campaign against the network, which earlier in the day saw the activation of a NIS 2 million personal defamation fund and a website-and-billboard campaign.
The new development follows the Zioneer's earlier reporting on Thursday at 11:51 Jerusalem, which detailed the launch of the 'Defamation Fund 12' website (diba12.org.il) and a national billboard campaign calling on citizens and soldiers who say they were harmed by Channel 12 to apply for legal aid. The fund, financed by Barkat personally, has been presented as a means to overcome what he calls a 'fear barrier' and to back those he says are being persecuted by the network.
As The Zioneer has reported previously, Barkat's legal campaign against Channel 12 includes a collective defamation lawsuit by government ministers (June 22), a lawsuit warning letter signed by eight ministers (June 25), and the dismissal of an earlier personal defamation suit by Barkat over his travel expenses (July 1). Journalist Eli Tzipori, acquitted in a related Channel 12 defamation suit, publicly thanked Barkat's fund for its support (June 18).
It remains unclear whether the evening statement signals any new legal action beyond the existing fund and campaign. Barkat's accusations against Channel 12 have not been independently verified, and the network has not publicly responded to the latest remarks.
3 developments
- DevelopingMinister Nir Barkat launches defamation fund to counter Channel 12 lawsuit
- StrongMinister Nir Barkat announces defamation warning letter to Channel 12 signed by eight ministers
- DevelopingMinister Nir Barkat organizes first-ever collective defamation suit by government ministers against Channel 12
- DevelopingEli Tzipori thanks Barkat's defamation fund after Channel 12 acquittal
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