The WhatsApp messenger app announced Sunday that it recognizes the authority of Israel's courts to judge it, following countless legal motions and charges against the company due to its refusal to be tried in Israeli courts. According to Kan News , the company's announcement came following a private case led by the wife of Israeli National Security Minister Ayala Ben-Gvir, after being banned on Facebook and WhatsApp, in which she was awarded 5,000 shekels. The company's recognition of Israeli courts will affect all residents of Israeli who will be able to sue it in the future. The attornies who sued the company, Guy Ofir and Roy Ben-David, stated: "This has turned into a national problem. A day doesn't pass without someone contacting our office in distress since they were cut off from the world because of a WhatsApp ban. This new situation in which WhatsApp recognizes the Israeli courts' authority (which comes after five victories, 40 thousand NIS of expenses that were imposed on it, and harsh criticism from the judges) will help the entire public," the attornies stated.
