Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Israel Arrests Former Military Legal Chief Over Leaked Abuse Video
A high-ranking military lawyer in Israel, who was in charge of making sure soldiers followed the law, is being investigated.
She admitted to letting a video be released that showed some soldiers possibly hurting a Palestinian prisoner.
This video was used as evidence against five soldiers who were later charged with serious abuse.
The lawyer said she leaked the video to stop bad stories about the military's legal team.
Some people think she broke the law by leaking it, and now she is also being questioned about potentially covering up the source of the leak.
This has caused a big debate in Israel about how prisoners are treated and how the justice system works, especially with some politicians wanting to change the system.
Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former chief legal officer of the Israeli military, is under criminal investigation.
The investigation concerns her authorization of a leaked video appearing to show Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.
The video footage is linked to charges of severe abuse against five Israeli reserve soldiers.
Tomer-Yerushalmi stated she leaked the video to counter propaganda against the military's legal department.
The probe also examines suspicions of obstruction of justice and the falsification of reports regarding the leak's source.
- Who
- Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former chief legal officer of the Israeli military
- What
- She is under criminal investigation for authorizing the leak of a video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee by soldiers.
- When
- The video was leaked in August 2024. The investigation was revealed on October 29, and Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned on October 31.
- Where
- The alleged abuse occurred at the Sde Teiman military detention camp in Israel.
- Why
- Tomer-Yerushalmi stated she leaked the video to combat propaganda against the military's legal department. The investigation also probes potential obstruction of justice and violations of legal procedures.
Supporters of Tomer-Yerushalmi and Military Justice
Critics and Right-Wing Politicians
Reason for Video Leak
Supporters of Tomer-Yerushalmi and Military Justice
Tomer-Yerushalmi authorized the leak to combat propaganda against the military's legal department and uphold the rule of law, stating that suspicion of violence must always be investigated.
Critics and Right-Wing Politicians
The leak is viewed as a potential obstruction of justice and a violation of legal procedures, with some politicians calling for a broader inquiry into the justice system.
Treatment of Soldiers vs. Prisoners
Supporters of Tomer-Yerushalmi and Military Justice
The case highlights the importance of investigating suspected abuse of prisoners, even those considered enemies, to maintain legal standards.
Critics and Right-Wing Politicians
Some right-wing politicians and protesters believe the military is unfairly targeting its own troops during wartime and that the focus should be on protecting soldiers.
- Who
- Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former chief legal officer of the Israeli military
- What
- Subject of a criminal investigation for leaking a video appearing to show Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.
- Where
- Sde Teiman military detention camp, Israel
- When
- Video leaked in August 2024; video footage from summer 2024; soldiers charged in February 2025; investigation revealed October 29; Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned October 31.
- Why
- Tomer-Yerushalmi authorized the leak to counter propaganda against the military's legal department. The investigation also examines suspected obstruction of justice and violations of legal procedures.
- Related Indictments
- Five Israeli reserve soldiers charged with severe abuse of a Palestinian detainee.