Former Israeli military lawyer Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested on Sunday for admitting her involvement in the leak of a video showing Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian prisoner.
Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned as Army Attorney General on Friday, took full responsibility for the leak, claiming he did so to counter “propaganda” against the Israel Defense Forces’ legal department.
The leaked video, filmed at the Sde Teiman military base, shows soldiers beating and stabbing a detainee while blocking visibility with riot shields.
Five reserve soldiers were subsequently charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily injury to the detainee, and have denied the charges.
However, on Sunday, four of the Israeli reservists, dressed in black balaclavas to conceal their identities, appeared at a news conference in Jerusalem with their lawyers, demanding that their trial be dismissed. Their lawyer, Adi Keidar, alleged that his clients faced a biased and flawed legal process.
A criminal investigation into the leaked video was launched last week, leading to General Tomer-Yerushalmi’s suspension. Before the investigation concluded, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he would not be allowed to return to his position.
Following the Defense Minister’s announcement, General Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned, taking full responsibility in the resignation letter for the leaked video, stating that any material released to the media from his unit was his responsibility.
“I approved the release of material to the media in an attempt to counter false propaganda against army law enforcement authorities,” he said.
The reference likely refers to attempts by some right-wing Israeli politicians to discredit the abuse allegations, suggesting they were fabricated or exaggerated.
“It is our duty to investigate whenever there is reasonable suspicion of acts of violence against a detainee,” he added.
Following his resignation, Katz fiercely condemned his conduct.
“Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is not fit to wear the army uniform,” he said.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Sde Teiman incident as a serious public relations attack against Israel.
Shortly afterward, reports emerged that General Tomer-Yerushalmi was missing, prompting a massive search effort amid fears for his safety. She was later found safe and sound in Herzliya.
The police spokesperson also announced the arrest of two people suspected of leaking information and other serious crimes.
Those arrested are reportedly General Tomer-Yerushalmi and former chief military prosecutor Colonel Matan Solomosh.
The Sde Teiman incident has exposed deep divisions in Israel, with the right seeing the leaked video as a smear of the military, bordering on betrayal.
Right-wing protesters, including some lawmakers, also stormed the facility in support of the accused reservists.
Meanwhile, the left sees General Tomer-Yerushalmi’s role in releasing the images as a rare example of him fulfilling his responsibilities.
The left sees the video as evidence of abuse committed against Palestinian detainees, consistent with reports since the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023.
A UN report alleged widespread abuse, torture and sexual violence against Gaza detainees, which Israel’s government denied, citing compliance with international law and thorough investigations into the allegations.
bbc