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Israel’s former top military lawyer, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, was arrested on November 3 in a dramatic escalation of a scandal over a leaked video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee. The arrest has intensified a political crisis, pitting elements of the military against the far-right wing of the Israeli government. Tomer-Yerushalmi had resigned from her position as Military Advocate General just days earlier.
In a letter explaining her resignation, Tomer-Yerushalmi took full responsibility for the leak, stating she had authorized it to demonstrate that the military justice system was actively pursuing the case. She argued the move was necessary to "counter the false propaganda directed against the military law enforcement authorities." This unprecedented admission set the stage for a major political showdown over military conduct and accountability.
The footage at the center of the controversy reportedly shows severe abuse of a detainee by several soldiers at the Sde Teiman detention facility. The incident led to five reserve soldiers being charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious harm, all of whom have denied the allegations. The leak and subsequent arrest have prompted a sweeping investigation into the military's handling of evidence of misconduct and deepened the crisis within Israel's military command.
This case has exposed deep divisions within Israel's leadership. Supporters of Tomer-Yerushalmi view her actions as a defense of the rule of law within the military, while critics, particularly from the ruling coalition's right-wing flank, have decried the prosecution of soldiers and condemned the leak. Before her arrest, there were reports of concerns for her safety. Tomer-Yerushalmi's downfall is now a focal point in the broader struggle over the Israeli army's legal autonomy amid intense political pressure. The investigation continues, with significant implications for both the military and the government.
