In a startling development that has reverberated throughout Israel, the country’s top military lawyer, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested and faces charges including obstruction of justice, fraud, and abuse of office. The military attorney general, a two-star general who was responsible for upholding legal standards within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), is accused of leaking a controversial video showing Israeli soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian detainee in the Sde Teiman detention camp.
The video, which surfaced in July 2024 and was broadcast on Israel’s Channel 12, depicts disturbing scenes in which soldiers appear to sexually assault a Palestinian prisoner detained behind riot shields. The footage lasted several minutes, igniting shock across the nation not only due to its content but also because it originated from the highest legal authority within the military system. Tomer-Yerushalmi eventually admitted to releasing the footage publicly, aiming to expose the severity of the abuse allegations and foster transparency, but her actions prompted her forced resignation and subsequent arrest.
Her sudden disappearance over a weekend, which included her car being found abandoned with a note, alarmed her family and led authorities on a search before she was located safe but visibly distressed on a beach. The incident has heightened an already intense debate regarding the role and integrity of Israel’s military justice system, especially concerning how it deals with allegations of misconduct by soldiers against Palestinian detainees.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the leak as a “catastrophe,” emphasizing the severe damage it inflicted on Israel’s national and military reputation. He described it as one of the most damaging public relations crises since the founding of the state. Meanwhile, some right-wing groups have protested vigorously, demanding the release of the soldiers accused of abuse and portraying them as defenders of the country unfairly targeted by legal processes.
Tomer-Yerushalmi has defended her decision by underscoring the importance of adherence to the rule of law, asserting that Israel’s international legitimacy depends on maintaining transparency and legal accountability within the IDF ranks. “The IDF’s international legitimacy efforts are greatly benefited by the protection provided by the justice system,” she said in a previous statement.
The case has sparked fierce public arguments over Israel’s military justice system’s impartiality and the broader question of systemic issues in the treatment of Palestinian detainees. Eran Shamir-Borer, a former military legal officer and current member of the reserve forces, highlighted how the military advocate general’s office serves as a critical “beacon of justice and truth” within the IDF. He described the arrest of a figure as senior as Tomer-Yerushalmi as “very shocking,” noting the delicate balance of prosecuting soldiers during active conflict and respecting the rule of law.
While military investigations led to charges last summer against some of the soldiers for abuse—though not specifically for sexual crimes—the public release of the graphic footage amplified controversy and stirred political tensions. This episode not only questions the military’s handling of alleged detainee abuse but also puts a spotlight on ongoing societal divisions within Israel regarding military accountability, legal transparency, and national security considerations.
The fallout from these events continues to unfold, revealing deep fractures in how various segments of Israeli society perceive the justice process when it comes to military personnel, as well as the complex human rights issues embedded in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Where to Learn More
- PBS NewsHour – Comprehensive coverage of ongoing Israeli legal and political issues
- BBC News – Middle East – In-depth reports on Israel-Palestine conflict developments
- Haaretz – Israeli news outlet covering national politics and military matters
- Human Rights Watch: Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories – Analysis on human rights concerns in the region
- Commentary Magazine – Insightful perspectives on Israeli security and legal challenges
