Netanyahu sues journalists over false pancreatic cancer claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed a defamation lawsuit against journalists Ben Caspit and Ori Misgav, and activist Gonen Ben Yitzhak, alleging the three have spread "false and defamatory information" about his health.

According to Channel 12, on Wednesday, the lawsuit, filed on Netanyahu's behalf by attorney Chur Uriel Nizri, says that "contrary to claims, Netanyahu does not have pancreatic cancer and is in excellent health for his age."

The lawsuit asserts that the defendants knowingly "spread false and malicious information against the prime minister," saying that Netanyahu has pancreatic cancer and is unfit to perform his duties. Netanyahu is seeking up to NIS 500,000 ($135,000).