The protest group Brothers and Sisters in Arms has filed a criminal libel complaint against Adv. Ilan Bombach, Likud's legal counsel. The complaint concerns his claims that the group was preparing to disrupt voting at polling stations in next week's election. Journalist Aviad Glickman reported the filing on Tuesday.
The complaint was submitted to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court by attorney Shachar Ben Meir. It includes four counts of publishing libel with intent to harm.
At its center are statements Bombach made in media interviews on October 13 and 14. Bombach represents Likud before the Central Elections Committee. According to the complaint, he claimed the group planned to station tens of thousands of activists at polling stations to disrupt the vote, citing an operation of some 40,000 activists organizing ahead of election day. He also allegedly accused the group of planning to pressure voters, stage provocations and interfere with polling-station operations.
The group says the statements falsely portray its activities as an organized effort to undermine the integrity of the election. It argues they were made knowingly and with the intent to damage its reputation and public work.
A criminal case, not a civil suit
Rather than seeking monetary damages in a civil libel suit, the group chose a private criminal complaint. That procedure allows a private party to bring criminal charges directly in cases where the law permits it.
The group is asking the court to convict Bombach under Section 6 of the Prohibition of Defamation Law, which covers publishing libel with intent to harm. The offense carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
The court has not yet ruled on the complaint. To accept it, the court will need to examine whether the elements of the offense are met, including intent to harm, and weigh any defense Bombach raises. The allegations against him have not been proven.
