A defamation suit filed by the organization 'Choosing the Family' against the Israeli newspaper 'Haaretz' was dismissed by the Afula Magistrate's Court. The lawsuit pertained to five articles that discussed the establishment of a student group at the Technion university linked to 'Choosing the Family', which is a wing of the organization 'Hotam - Judaism on the Agenda'. The plaintiffs, led by the organization's chairman, Michael Poah, argued that the articles unfairly connected their organization with the political party 'Noam', thereby damaging their reputation and hindering their ability to operate effectively in the public and political spheres.

The court found that the political attribution made in the articles did not amount to defamation as claimed by the plaintiffs. This ruling underscores the legal perspective that public discourse about political affiliations does not infringe on libel laws in Israel, especially when the discussions concern an organization that operates within the political domain. In addition to dismissing the case, the court ordered the plaintiffs to compensate each defendant, including journalists Hilo Galzer and Shira Kedari-Ovadia, with 8,000 shekels.

This verdict could have broader implications for how political discourse is framed in Israeli media, particularly for organizations like 'Choosing the Family' that engage in public political activities. It reinforces the media's role in covering political connections and affiliations without the fear of defamation lawsuits, potentially encouraging more robust discussions around political matters in Israel. The decision reflects an increasing recognition of the importance of freedom of the press in matters of public interest, especially in politically charged narratives.