Jerusalem, Israel – Israel’s top military lawyer, Military Advocate General Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, resigned on Friday amidst a criminal investigation into the leaking of a surveillance video that appeared to show Israeli soldiers severely abusing a Palestinian detainee.
Taking Responsibility for the Leak
Maj. Gen. Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted that she was responsible for approving the release of the footage to the media. In her resignation letter, she stated that her decision to leak the video was an attempt to “counter the false propaganda directed against the military law enforcement authorities” and uphold the army’s legal and moral standards, which she felt were being undermined by political pressure.
The Abusive Footage
The video, which surfaced on Israeli television in August 2024, was reportedly taken at the Sde Teiman detention facility in southern Israel, where Palestinian detainees, mostly arrested during the Gaza war, are held. The disturbing footage allegedly showed soldiers assaulting a Palestinian prisoner, leading to severe injuries. Following an internal probe into the abuse itself, criminal charges had been filed against five reservist soldiers earlier in the year.
Resignation and Political Fallout
The Military Advocate General’s resignation comes as the Israeli military announced a criminal investigation into the source of the leak, including the possible involvement of members of the Military Advocate General’s Office.
The event has highlighted intense internal divisions and political tension in Israel regarding military accountability, particularly concerning the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. While Maj. Gen. Tomer-Yerushalmi defended her actions as necessary to ensure the investigation proceeded despite political interference, her resignation was welcomed by right-wing politicians, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, who criticized the release of the material. The former top lawyer’s departure underscores the extreme pressure on Israeli officials responsible for investigating alleged war crimes and misconduct within the military.
