Lawyer of Hotel Employee Speaks Up - Gil Ofarim stays silent on Star of David scandal due to legal gag order
Gil Ofarim has remained silent about the 2021 Star of David scandal while appearing on I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. The singer insists he cannot speak due to a legally binding confidentiality agreement. The case, which once sparked widespread outrage, ended in court with a fine and a settlement between the parties involved.
The controversy began in October 2021 when Ofarim accused a Leipzig hotel employee of making antisemitic remarks. He claimed the staff member told him to hide his Star of David necklace, a symbol of his Jewish faith. The allegation quickly went viral, triggering public condemnation of the hotel and its employee.
The accused worker denied the claims and took legal action, suing Ofarim for defamation. In November 2023, the trial took place at Leipzig Regional Court. Ofarim admitted to lying about the incident and received a €10,000 fine.
Following the trial, both sides reached a cease-and-desist agreement, brokered by their lawyers. Alexander Stevens, representing Ofarim, confirmed the deal bound his client—and the hotel employee—to strict confidentiality. The law firm for the employee, led by attorney Daniel Baumgärtner, later issued a statement reinforcing the terms of the settlement.
Stevens also criticised public figures who continued to attack Ofarim over the case while spreading unverified claims. He argued that many of those expressing outrage had themselves engaged in defamatory behaviour. Since then, Ofarim has refused to address the matter, citing the legal obligation to stay silent.
The settlement prevents Ofarim from discussing the case further, even as he appears on reality television. The hotel employee, equally bound by the agreement, has also not commented publicly. The legal resolution closed the chapter, but the scandal's impact lingers in public memory.
