The controversy surrounding the alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison has escalated dramatically with the arrest of Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the Israeli military’s former top lawyer. She was taken into custody after admitting to leaking a video of the alleged abuse, a decision she says was made to protect the integrity of the army’s legal system.
The Leak and the Arrest
Major General Tomer-Yerushalmi, who served as the Military Advocate General (MAG) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), resigned last week amidst the uproar. She later confessed to authorizing the release of the video to the media in August 2024.
- The Video’s Content: The leaked footage, broadcast by an Israeli news channel, allegedly showed Israeli reserve soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel.
- The Charges: Five reserve soldiers have since been charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious harm. The detainee was hospitalized with severe injuries, including fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and a rectal tear, though the exact charges against the soldiers have been subject to conflicting reports on the nature of the assault.
- The Former MAG’s Justification: In her resignation letter, Tomer-Yerushalmi stated she “approved the release of material to the media to counter false propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities,” which were facing attacks from the far-right for prosecuting the soldiers.
Following her admission, Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and disclosure of information by a public servant. The police investigation reportedly includes a focus on her actions after the leak, including an alleged attempt to conceal her involvement from the Supreme Court. A former chief military prosecutor, Colonel Matan Solomesh, was also arrested in connection with the inquiry.
A Deeper Political Rift
The entire affair has exposed and deepened political divisions within Israel, pitting different ideological camps against each other.
- Right-Wing Criticism: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other right-wing politicians have focused intensely on the leak itself, with the Prime Minister calling it “perhaps the most serious public relations attack Israel has experienced since its founding.” They accuse Tomer-Yerushalmi of an act of betrayal that smears the army.
- Accountability Concerns: Conversely, critics of the government argue the reaction is an attempt to shift focus away from the serious allegations of abuse. For them, the video confirms reports of widespread mistreatment of Palestinian detainees since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
The arrest of a high-ranking military official on such charges is highly unusual and raises serious questions about the tensions between maintaining military discipline, ensuring accountability, and managing the intense political climate in Israel.