Journalist ordered to pay Israeli PM damages for libel

Tel Aviv June 11 (IANS) An Israeli court on Sunday ordered a journalist to pay 115 000 shekels ($32 500) in damages to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for defaming them.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate Court ruled that Igal Sarna libelled the Netanyahus in a Facebook post in which he claimed that Sara Netanyahu kicked the Prime Minister out of the car while driving one night from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem reports Xinhua news agency.

Sarna is a senior journalist with Yedioth Ahronot one of Israel s largest daily that often voices critical views of Netanyahu.

The Netanyahus sued Sarna for 280 000 shekels ($79 200). In March they appeared in court to testify against Sarna.

Sarna claimed that he has a source to support his claims. However the court ruled his post was aimed at harming Netanyahu and his wife.

Sarna said he was considering appealing against the court ruling.

--IANS
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