Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the top military advocate general of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), resigned after admitting she approved the leak of a graphic surveillance video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center.
The video, which surfaced in August 2024, ignited outrage and prompted a criminal investigation into both the abuse and the leak.
In her resignation letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Tomer-Yerushalmi emphasized her deep commitment to upholding the rule of law during her 30-year military career. She explained that she authorized leaking the video to counter what she described as “false propaganda” against the military law enforcement authorities. “I bear full responsibility for any material that was released to the media from within the unit,” she wrote, adding that this responsibility influenced her decision to step down.
The abuse shown in the video reportedly involved detainees being subjected to severe physical mistreatment, including beatings that left one detainee with broken ribs and internal injuries. Despite criminal charges against five reservists linked to the incident, critics argue that accountability has not extended to higher-ranking officers or systemic issues.
Following the leak, Tomer-Yerushalmi faced harsh criticism from political figures, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, who accused her of harming the IDF’s reputation by releasing the footage.The IDF quickly accepted her resignation and moved to appoint an acting military advocate to stabilize the legal unit, underscoring concerns over morale within the military.
While Tomer-Yerushalmi’s actions were framed as protecting legal norms and transparency, the resignation spotlights a broader failure in addressing abuses and the shielding of offenders within the military framework. As the Sde Teiman detention center continues to operate, questions remain about justice for the victims and accountability within the ranks.
