Israel arrests former military legal chief after leaked abuse video

Israeli police have arrested Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the country’s former military advocate general, following a scandal over a leaked video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military base.

The arrest, confirmed Monday, November 3, came after a chaotic weekend in which Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned from her post and was reported missing for several hours — sparking speculation in local media about a possible suicide attempt.

In her resignation letter, published Friday, Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted that her office had released the controversial footage to the media last year. The video, aired by Channel 12 in August 2024, appeared to show soldiers concealing acts of violence against a Palestinian detainee held during the Gaza war.

Following the leak, five reservist soldiers were charged in 2024 with “acting against the detainee with severe violence,” including stabbing the detainee near the rectum with a sharp object. Prosecutors said the abuse caused cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and internal injuries.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed the arrest on Telegram, saying:

“It was agreed that in light of last night’s events, the prison service would act with extra vigilance to ensure the detainee’s safety in the detention centre.”

He added that the investigation must be conducted “professionally in order to uncover the full truth regarding the case that led to a blood libel against IDF soldiers.”

A Tel Aviv court later ordered that Tomer-Yerushalmi remain in custody until Wednesday, as police investigate her for fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and disclosure of official information. Another senior officer in the military prosecution is also under investigation.

The Israeli army has confirmed an internal inquiry into the incident, which took place on July 5, 2024. Evidence gathered includes surveillance footage and medical reports indicating the detainee was blindfolded, handcuffed, and taken aside before being attacked.

Channel 12 has since reported that police suspect Tomer-Yerushalmi may have staged her disappearance to dispose of her phone, which might contain sensitive communications. Some outlets said a note found at her home could be interpreted as a suicide letter.

The case has revived international concern about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees. A UN commission report released in October 2024 found that thousands of detainees had suffered “widespread and systematic abuse” in Israeli camps — acts it described as potential war crimes.

Israel has dismissed the findings as “outrageous,” insisting it remains “fully committed to international legal standards.”

The arrest of such a senior legal figure marks one of the most serious internal scandals to hit Israel’s military justice system in years. Analysts say it deepens public debate over accountability, ethics, and the army’s image amid the ongoing war in Gaza.