Israel’s chief military prosecutor, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has resigned after admitting to leaking a sensitive video to the media. The footage, which was aired in August 2024, looking depicted Israeli soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility in southern Israel. Her resignation stops the dramatic phase of her four-year tenure as Military Advocate General and reflects the growing strain on the Israeli military’s legal system over issues of accountability during wartime.
Why Did Israel Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi Resign
The leaked video showed a disturbing scene of a Palestinian detainee who had been arrested during the Gaza war, brutally being beaten by several soldiers. It was later reported that he had suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and internal tears. An investigation by the Military Police was launched following the footage, and five reservist soldiers involved in the attack were arrested and indicted.
At the same time, however, the investigation brought on fierce backlash from right-wing politicians and activists, who stormed military bases, accusing the legal department of showing greater concern for the rights of detainees than for the sacrifices of Israeli troops. The controversy laid bare deep divisions within Israel’s political and military establishment.
Israel Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s Explanation
In a resignation letter, Tomer-Yerushalmi said she authorized the leakage of the video for the purpose of countering “the false propaganda” that has been distributed against the military’s legal authorities. She emphasized the significance of investigation of suspected crimes, even regarding high-value prisoners, as a source of strength for the IDF, referring to an essential element of the rule of law. Her confession drew harsh criticism from senior officials. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed her departure and accused her of damaging the image of the army, describing her actions as a “blood libel” against Israeli soldiers.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Tensions
The Sde Teiman facility has long been a flashpoint of controversy, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of systemic abuse and poor treatment of Palestinian detainees held there. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation and the criminal inquiry into the leak reflect a larger clash between the military’s duty to enforce international law and the political forces trying to protect soldiers from prosecution. Her departure came to expose rifts inside the military establishment and also raised debate again on the accountability mechanisms in Israel, given the continued conflict in Gaza.
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