Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Israeli Military Lawyer Missing After Resignation Over Leaked Abuse Video
A top lawyer for the Israeli military, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has gone missing.
This happened just two days after she resigned from her job.
Her resignation was because she allowed a video to be shared with the news.
This video showed some soldiers apparently hurting a prisoner.
The prisoner was being held during the Gaza war.
Her car was found near a dangerous beach with cliffs.
Police are using many resources, like helicopters and boats, to search for her.
She is the first woman to hold her high-ranking legal position in the military.
Her decision to leak the video was controversial, with some saying it hurt Israel's reputation.
Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel's former Military Advocate General, has gone missing.
Her disappearance follows her resignation on Friday, October 31, 2025, over authorizing the leak of a video showing alleged detainee abuse.
Her abandoned vehicle was found running near HaTzuk (Cliff) Beach, a dangerous area with cliffs, prompting a large-scale police search.
The leaked video allegedly depicts reserve soldiers sexually assaulting a handcuffed detainee at the Sde Teiman detention facility.
Tomer-Yerushalmi stated she authorized the leak to ensure transparency, but her action was criticized for damaging the IDF's reputation.
- Who
- Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former Military Advocate General
- What
- Disappeared shortly after resigning from her post due to authorizing the leak of a video showing detainee abuse.
- When
- Disappeared Sunday afternoon, two days after her resignation on Friday, October 31, 2025.
- Where
- Near HaTzuk (Cliff) Beach, northern Tel Aviv.
- Why
- Her disappearance follows her resignation over approving the leak of a video depicting alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee, which drew severe criticism and led to her dismissal.
Justification for Leak
Criticism of Leak
Tomer-Yerushalmi's Rationale
Justification for Leak
Authorized the video leak to media outlets to ensure transparency and pre-empt a military police probe, fearing escalation into a larger crisis.
Criticism of Leak
Her action was deemed a reckless breach of protocol that smeared the IDF's reputation, leading to criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who called it 'the most serious PR attack against Israel.'
- Missing Official
- Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi (former Military Advocate General)
- Date of Disappearance
- Sunday afternoon (reported)
- Location of Disappearance
- Near HaTzuk (Cliff) Beach, northern Tel Aviv
- Circumstances of Disappearance
- Abandoned vehicle found running near a cliffside; cellphone untraceable
- Reason for Recent Resignation
- Authorizing the leak of a video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee
- Date of Video Leak Authorization
- October 31, 2025
- Content of Leaked Video
- Alleged sexual abuse of a handcuffed detainee by reserve soldiers at Sde Teiman detention facility
