The Israeli military’s top lawyer, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi has stepped down following her acknowledgment of responsibility for the leak of a video allegedly showing soldiers sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee last year. Tomer-Yerushalmi, who served as the military advocate general, had been on leave since a police investigation was launched earlier this week into how the surveillance footage from the Sde Teiman detention facility became public.
- Warning: This story contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Who resigned from the Israeli military?
- Why did she take responsibility?
- What does the leaked video show?
- Were any soldiers charged?
- How did Israeli authorities respond?
- What has been the public reaction?
- Conclusion
The leak has led to criminal charges against five reserve soldiers connected to the incident. Before her resignation, Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Tomer-Yerushalmi would not be permitted to return to her position, marking a significant shake-up within the military’s legal leadership amid growing scrutiny over accountability and handling of detainee treatment.
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Warning: This story contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse.
In her resignation letter, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the Israeli military’s top lawyer, accepted full responsibility for any material released from her unit to the media.
“I approved the release of material to the media in an attempt to counter false propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities,” she wrote, referring to claims by some right-wing political figures that reports of detainee abuse were fabricated. She added, “It is our duty to investigate whenever there is reasonable suspicion of acts of violence against a detainee.”
Following her resignation, accepted by the IDF chief of staff, Defence Minister Israel Katz welcomed the decision, saying, “Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army’s uniform.”
The leaked video, broadcast by Israeli Channel 12 in August 2024, shows soldiers at the Sde Teiman detention facility isolating a detainee behind riot shields while he was stabbed in the rectum with a sharp object. The detainee sustained severe injuries.
After military police questioned 11 reservists, far-right protesters stormed the facility in support of the soldiers. Five reservists were later charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm, but have denied the charges.
The footage has been seen as evidence corroborating reports of abuse against Palestinian detainees since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Right-wing Israeli politicians, however, condemned the leak as an attempt to defame the military.
A UN commission of inquiry last year reported that thousands of Gaza detainees, both children and adults, had been “subjected to widespread and systematic abuse, physical and psychological violence, and sexual and gender-based violence amounting to the war crime and crime against humanity of torture and the war crime of rape and other forms of sexual violence.” Israel rejected the allegations, asserting its commitment to international legal standards and claiming thorough investigations into every complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who resigned from the Israeli military?
Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the military advocate general, resigned following her acknowledgment of responsibility for the leak of a video allegedly showing abuse of a Palestinian detainee.
Why did she take responsibility?
She approved the release of material to the media to counter what she described as false propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities.
What does the leaked video show?
The footage reportedly shows soldiers at Sde Teiman detention facility isolating a detainee with riot shields while he was stabbed in the rectum with a sharp object, resulting in severe injuries.
Were any soldiers charged?
Yes, five reservists were charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm, although they have denied the charges.
How did Israeli authorities respond?
Defence Minister Israel Katz welcomed the resignation, emphasizing that anyone spreading false accusations against IDF troops is unfit for service. The government also rejected UN allegations of widespread abuse, claiming adherence to international law.
What has been the public reaction?
Far-right protesters showed support for the soldiers by storming the facility, while right-wing politicians condemned the leak as an attempt to defame the Israeli military.
Conclusion
The resignation of Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi marks a significant moment in the Israeli military, highlighting the complex challenges of accountability, transparency, and public trust. The leaked video has intensified scrutiny over the treatment of Palestinian detainees and drawn sharp divisions within Israeli society and politics. While the government maintains its commitment to legal standards, the incident underscores ongoing tensions between security operations and human rights concerns.
