The former top lawyer in the Israeli military has been arrested, as a political showdown deepens over the leaking of a video that allegedly shows severe abuse of a Palestinian detainee by Israeli soldiers.
Maj Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned as the Military Advocate General of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) last week, saying that she took full responsibility for the leak.
On Sunday, the story took a darker turn when she was reported as missing, with police mounting an hours-long search for her on a beach north of Tel Aviv. She was subsequently found alive and well, but was then taken into custody.
The fallout from the leaked video is intensifying by the day. Broadcast in August 2024 on an Israeli news channel, the footage shows reserve soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base allegedly beating a detainee while using riot shields to block visibility. The detainee required treatment for serious injuries.
Five reservists were charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm, who have denied the charges. Meanwhile, protests ensued, with their lawyers decrying a biased legal process.
Last week, a criminal investigation was launched, prompting Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation. In her letter, she accepted responsibility for releasing material to counter what she described as false propaganda against the army.
The incident has ignited fierce debates within Israeli society, exposing deep political divides over military actions against Palestinians. Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned Tomer-Yerushalmi's actions, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the event as a severe public relations crisis for Israel.
The scandal not only highlights issues of military accountability but also raises serious questions regarding human rights and treatment of detainees, further complicating an already volatile situation in the region.
