As a journalist and father, I’ve spent years reporting on Israel’s broken family court system. I’ve written about systemic alienation, the misuse of protective orders, and how unverified abuse claims are often used to sever children from loving parents. I never expected that publishing one such article—anonymously viewed, read by no one—would land me in a civil defamation lawsuit filed by my ex-wife’s attorney.
But that’s exactly what happened.
🔎 Key Issues at a Glance
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No readership, no harm: The article in question received zero traffic, yet I’m being sued for defamation.
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Weaponized litigation: The Plaintiff’s defamation suit is being used in unrelated custody proceedings to argue that I’m “mentally unfit” simply for publishing articles critical of the legal process.
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Forced relocation: I was ordered to move to a larger apartment in Efrat under a Rabbinical Court filing initiated by the Plaintiff — then denied any access to my children after complying.
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No due process: The family court orders were issued without any expert evaluation or testimony from either parent.
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Financial harm: I’ve spent over ₪100,000 responding to legal harassment, false police reports, and court-ordered moves that never benefited my children.
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Hypocrisy in litigation: While I’m being sued for using the word “fraudulent,” false and defamatory claims against me remain online, including TikTok videos viewed by millions.
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Public interest defense: My reporting focused on systemic issues in family court, including suppression of speech, overuse of supervised visitation, and lack of oversight on attorneys and social workers.
The Lawsuit
In 2023, Attorney Yogev Haimi filed suit against me in Jerusalem civil court, claiming that an article I published on StreetwiseJournal.com defamed him. The article, titled “Conflict of Interest and a Fraudulent Lawsuit,” was part of a broader critique on how lawyers leverage their positions in family court. It addressed Haimi’s dual role in my custody case and questioned whether his litigation was ethically sound. Google Analytics confirmed the article received zero traffic. It was never promoted or widely shared. Haimi never requested a correction or retraction.
Still, he sued me. His goal wasn’t compensation—it was suppression.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about me. Haimi has consistently argued in court that my speech, journalism, and even my attempts to file complaints against public officials prove I’m “unfit” to be a father. He has tried to use the existence of his lawsuit as “evidence” that I should be stripped of parental rights. It’s textbook legal intimidation.
And it worked. In a separate custody matter, I was forced under court order to move to a larger, more expensive apartment in Efrat, allegedly to facilitate visitation. Then my ex refused to let me see the kids. No gifts, no calls, nothing. That move cost me ₪31,500 in rent alone—not counting furniture, moving fees, or legal costs. The entire process, initiated by Haimi’s lawsuit in the Rabbinical Court, was grounded in false claims that I had abandoned my children. At the time, I was paying child support and regularly sending food, electronics, and support.
Now, I’m asking the Family Court to decide if that lawsuit was itself fraudulent. I’ve also filed for child support relief, because I’ve been entirely cut off from my daughter, Tali, despite having previously raised her for years and remained deeply involved in her life. At age 14, she now refuses all contact—and her mother continues to request full child support.
A Public Interest Battle
Israel leads the Western world in the use of supervised contact centers for divorced fathers—facilities so restrictive that hugs, gifts, and private conversations are forbidden. One in four divorced fathers ends up in such a center—compared to just 1–2% in the U.S.
That’s not “best interest of the child.” That’s state-enabled alienation.
I’ve chosen to fight back—not just for myself, but for every parent who has been falsely accused, cut off from their children, and silenced by a legal system that prioritizes connections over fairness. That includes seeking reimbursement for the legal harassment I’ve endured—both financially and reputationally.
What’s Next
The Jerusalem civil court has scheduled an evidentiary hearing on Haimi’s defamation claim. I’ve filed a Motion to Dismiss based on the lack of actual harm, failure to mitigate damages, and protected journalistic expression. I’ve also requested that the matter be transferred or stayed pending resolution in the Family Court, which is already reviewing related issues involving custody and support.
You can read the english translated filings here:
Final Thoughts
I’m not trying to punish anyone. If full contact with my daughter is restored, I’ll waive the financial claims. I want fairness. I want finality. I want the right to be a father—without being silenced or dragged into court every time I speak out.
And I want others to know: if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.
The views expressed here are based on public court filings and the author’s personal experience as a party to the case.
