The front page of Maariv recently accused a woman of assaulting a policeman – and the newspaper now is being sued for 50,000 shekels and an apology.

The Tadmit Center for the Strengthening of Democracy in Israeli Media reports that last Wednesday, Maariv featured a large, front page photograph of Mrs. Tziki Blonder of Tzufim raising a clenched fist while talking to a policeman in the midst of a violent incident between police and local residents.

Mrs. Blonder arrived at the scene and saw policemen using strong violence against young boys and girls – including two of her own children. With great emotion, she raised her voice at one of the policemen and told him that the police must not touch the girls or use violence.

Maariv photographer Raanan Cohen captured the moment, and the caption editors wrote, “Raising her hand against him: The grave clashes between settlers and policemen in Tzufim last night.” 

A bright yellow patch on the photo adds the word, “Battlefield.”

Tadmit lawyer Shimrit Elkalai wrote to Maariv that all in all, the front page paints Mrs. Blonder as taking part in violence in a battlefield, when in fact nothing of the sort occurred.

The photo clearly shows that the policeman does not feel threatened and does not attempt to defend himself in any way.

Attorney Elkalai demands in Mrs. Blonder’s name that Maariv apologize clearly on the front page and explain the “error,” and compensate her for the harm caused to her good name to the tune of 50,000 shekels ($13,200).

As of early Sunday evening, four days after the letter was written, no response had been received from Maariv.