Director Roman Polanski must testify in a libel suit he filed against Israeli blogger Matan Uziel, Herzliya Magistrates' Court Judge Gilad Hess ruled on Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed last year, claims that Uziel published a report on his blog alleging that five women have accused Polanski of sexually assaulting them between 1969 and 1976. Polanski has categorically denied the allegations and is seeking damages in the amount of NIS 1.5 million ($440,000).
The renowned French-Jewish director also asked the court to issue a temporary injunction, seeking to remove Uziel's blog from the internet and erase all online traces of the report. The court did not issue the injunction, ruling that Uziel must testify before any decision is made on the matter.
Hess said there was no reason to exempt Polanski from cross-examination in court, as Uziel was within his rights to question the director over his request to censor the online report.
"As Polanski chose to file his lawsuit in Israel, it only stands to reason that Uziel would expect him to come to Israel to testify," Hess said in his ruling.
On Wednesday, Uziel's attorney, Roni Aloni-Sadkovnik, told Israeli media that Polanski's lawsuit was an "unwise act."
"He has been accused of many acts that fall outside of the statute of limitations, but now, when Mr. Polanski decided to open Pandora's box, many of women will come out [and accused him of similar conduct]. We are not afraid of Mr. Polanski and we believe that the suit will be dismissed," she said.
"Mr. Polanski is a convicted criminal in the U.S., wanted by the FBI, and Israel has an extradition treatment with the U.S," she said. "I don't see any way that Mr. Polanski could move forward with this lawsuit, in a country that has an extradition treaty with the U.S., without physically showing up for the proceedings. I would be happy to see this happen. It would be very interesting. We'd be happy to help our friends in the United States," Aloni-Sadkovnik added.
In March 2016, Uziel launched an online platform called Real Women, Real Stories, for women to recount personal stories of trauma and abuse they have survived.
In November 2017, Uziel created a website called IMetPolanski.com, calling on women who have been assaulted or hurt by the director to come forward and share their stories.
In early November, Uziel told The Sun newspaper that five more women had contacted him with stories about Polanski since he set up the site, in addition to the women who have publicly accused him over the years.
According to the Walla news website, Polanski, 84, has pledged to donate any money from damages the court might award him to the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel.
