Gantz to sue 'Israel Hayom' for 'sexual harassment' claims

In the letter, Gantz went on to say that reports were intended to hurt him politically, since Israel Hayom "is acting in the service of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

MARCH 7, 2019 22:09

Leader of Blue and White party Benny Gantz speaks on February 28, 2019 (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/ MAARIV) — Leader of Blue and White party Benny Gantz speaks on February 28, 2019

(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/ MAARIV)

Blue and White Party chairman Benny Gantz said Thursday he is suing Israel Hayom for NIS 1 million for “a series of false reports concerning fictitious accusations made by Nava Jacobs about him on Facebook.”

The letter of intent to sue, which was publicized on Thursday morning, alleged that the newspaper acted with “blatant journalistic negligence, without conducting minimal mandatory examinations and a lack of good faith.”

In the letter, Gantz went on to say that the reports were intended to hurt him politically, since Israel Hayom “is acting in the service of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” and in the framework of Netanyahu’s election campaign.

“Israel Hayom decided to take every means to promote the political interest of Mr. Netanyahu,” the letter said.

Last week, Jacobs posted on her Facebook page that she was sexually harassed by Gantz when she was 14 when they were studying at Hakfar Hayarok boarding school north of Tel Aviv.

At the time, Jacobs was a freshman and Gantz was a senior, Channel 13 News reported. Gantz denied the allegations, filing a libel suit for NIS 500,000 against Jacobs.

In the lawsuit, Gantz argued that this claim was “a false report from start to finish – a real blood libel. The plaintiff does not remember any acquaintance with the defendant, and in any case the fantastic story she invented from her feverish mind never happened.”

Gantz said he will contribute any money that will be awarded in his favor from the lawsuits to a public cause, such as social change organizations.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.