The former chief lawyer of Israel’s military, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested in connection with the leak of a video that allegedly shows brutal prisoner abuse involving a Palestinian detainee. The case has triggered a political storm across Israel, exposing deep divisions within the country’s leadership and military establishment. Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned as the Military Advocate General of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) last week, said she accepted full responsibility for the leaked footage. The scandal escalated dramatically when she was reported missing on Sunday, prompting police to launch a large-scale search operation along the coast north of Tel Aviv. She was later found safe in Herzliya but was taken into custody shortly after being located.
The video, originally broadcast in August 2024, allegedly shows reserve soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel surrounding a Palestinian detainee with riot shields before he was severely beaten and stabbed with a sharp object. The detainee later required urgent medical treatment for his injuries.
Prisoner Abuse Scandal: Israeli Military’s Ex-Top Lawyer Arrested Amid Leaked Detainee Video Controversy
Following the incident, five reservists were charged with aggravated assault and causing serious bodily harm, though all have denied wrongdoing. Four of the accused appeared in Jerusalem wearing black balaclavas, as their lawyers called for the charges to be dropped. Right-wing attorney Adi Keidar claimed that his clients were victims of a biased and politically motivated process. The detainee involved in the incident was reportedly released to Gaza in October as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The following week, authorities opened a criminal investigation into the leaking of the footage. Tomer-Yerushalmi was placed on leave pending the probe and later resigned after Defense Minister Israel Katz barred her from returning to duty. In her resignation letter, she admitted authorizing the release of certain materials to counter what she described as false propaganda against the IDF’s legal system. She emphasized that it was the army’s duty to investigate any credible suspicion of violence against detainees. Katz condemned her actions, saying that anyone who damages the reputation of the Israeli military is unfit to wear its uniform.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Katz, calling the incident one of the most severe public relations crises Israel had faced. Shortly afterward, reports emerged of Tomer-Yerushalmi’s disappearance, fueling speculation of a deeper political cover-up. Police have since confirmed that two individuals, including Tomer-Yerushalmi and former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomosh, were arrested for suspected leaking and other serious offenses.The Sde Teiman case has become a symbol of Israel’s growing ideological divide. The right views the leak as a betrayal of national integrity, while the left considers it an act of courage exposing abuse of Palestinian detainees. Human rights advocates point to UN findings alleging widespread mistreatment of detainees, which Israel’s government has strongly denied, insisting it adheres to international law and investigates every complaint. Prisoner Abuse
SOURCE: BBC
