Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat filed a defamation lawsuit against the Kan Broadcasting Corporation, following the broadcast of an article claiming that Barkat's support for Moshe Leon in the second round of the elections was conditional on support from the local Likud branch in Barkat - in the primary elections for the Likud list.
The defamation lawsuit for 150,000 shekels was filed with the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court.
According to Barkat, this claim is a complete lie and a baseless rumor with nothing behind it.
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""I have decided to sue the Kan Broadcasting Corporation," tweeted Barkat. "I will not let anyone doubt my moral code. The article that appeared on the eve of the elections in the Kan Broadcasting Corporation, attributing to me a political deal in exchange for supporting Moshe Leon, is false and fabricated. I do not play games - after I demanded an apology and did not receive it, I sued the Broadcasting Corporation.".
He said, "My rules of the game are clear: Politics is a means for me to put my experience and skills to good use for the country. It is not the goal. The attempt to tie my support for Leon Deal for votes is crossing a red line - I respect the Israeli media and recognize its importance to democracy and society, but I believe lies are not journalism.".
The Kan Corporation responded: "The matter is in legal proceedings.".
The person who was shocked by Barkat's tweet was Yaakov Rivlin, the political commentator for 'Bakhilah' - who tweeted in response: "Hey Nir. Speaking of the election campaign in Jerusalem. About a month before the elections, we met in the corridors of the Knesset and bet on the identity of the next mayor. You claimed Elkin. Me: Just not Elkin.".
Rivlin mentioned: "The bet was symbolic: on a bottle of fine beer. When do we meet to realize the winnings?""
