Yair Netanyahu hits back, files lawsuit over assault allegation

Yair Netanyahu, son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has launched legal action against Member of Knesset Naama Lazimi over inflammatory claims made during a parliamentary committee meeting.

The lawsuit stems from Lazimi's remarks at Sunday's Knesset Finance Committee, where the Democratic Party MK suggested Yair Netanyahu was sent abroad after allegedly assaulting his father. The allegations emerged during a broader discussion about the Netanyahu family's security expenses and travel arrangements.

"I want to ask whether there is still an intention to fund the prime minister's son's stay because he hit the prime minister and had to be abroad as he damaged a symbol of authority," Lazimi stated during the committee meeting, prompting visible surprise from other members.

The claims were swiftly and forcefully denied by Netanyahu's Likud party, which dismissed them as "an absolute lie and detestable, a new low from the depths of the Left's sewer." The party spokesperson warned that Lazimi would "lose her immunity and pay," adding that anyone repeating these claims would face similar legal consequences.

The controversy unfolded during a committee discussion about government expenditure, where Lazimi also questioned the financing of Sara Netanyahu's recent two-month stay abroad and Yair Netanyahu's reported annual security costs of 2.5 million shekels ($690,000).

Yair Netanyahu and his legal team appeared to confirm the lawsuit filing by sharing news reports about the legal action on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The prime minister's son, who has been a controversial figure in Israeli politics, has previously shown willingness to pursue legal action against critics.