Israel Military Lawyer Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi Resigns Amid Scandal and Disappearance

Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation has led to a scandal in Israel following her admission of leaking a video related to alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee. Her brief disappearance raised concerns for her safety.

Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, once the top legal authority in the Israeli army, is now embroiled in a scandal. Her sudden resignation, disappearance, and subsequent discovery on a Tel Aviv beach have captivated the nation. This drama began with her admission of leaking a surveillance video central to a controversial investigation into alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at an Israeli military prison.

The leaked footage reveals soldiers allegedly sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner. Tomer-Yerushalmi intended to highlight the severity of the accusations her office was probing. However, this action drew sharp criticism from Israel's hard-line political figures. Her resignation last week did not quell the backlash; instead, it intensified personal attacks against her.

Political Fallout and Allegations

After resigning, Tomer-Yerushalmi left a mysterious note for her family and abandoned her car near a beach, sparking fears she might have harmed herself. This led to an extensive search operation involving military drones. She was found alive on Sunday night, but the discovery only fueled further criticism. "We can resume the lynch," commented Yinon Magal, a right-wing TV personality allied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Following the revelation that one of Tomer-Yerushalmi's phones was missing, accusations emerged from right-wing politicians and commentators. They suggested she staged a suicide attempt to destroy potential evidence. This incident highlights ongoing divisions within Israel, exacerbated by two years of conflict and recent events like Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023.

Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction

In court on Monday, a judge extended Tomer-Yerushalmi's detention until Wednesday. She faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice while being held in a women's prison in central Israel. Former chief military prosecutor Colonel Matan Solomesh was also arrested in connection with the leak investigation, though the prime minister's office has not commented on his arrest.

The uproar over the leaked video underscores Israel's deep political divisions. For now, public attention remains focused on the leak rather than the abuse allegations themselves. The assault occurred on July 5, 2024, at Sde Teiman military prison. The AP has previously investigated claims of mistreatment at this facility predating those shown in the video.

Details of Alleged Abuse

The video aired by Israeli media depicts soldiers leading a detainee into an area shielded from view to conceal their actions. According to the indictment, they assaulted and sodomised him with a knife, causing severe injuries. A medical staff member familiar with the case reported that the detainee arrived at a civilian hospital in critical condition with multiple injuries and underwent surgery before returning to Sde Teiman days later.

This case represents one of the most extreme instances of abuse known at Sde Teiman. When military police attempted to arrest suspected soldiers in July, they faced resistance from protesters opposing the arrests. Later, hundreds of protesters violently breached the detention centre.

Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation letter explained her decision to leak evidence as an effort to counter claims that the military unfairly targeted its own soldiers. She argued that such claims endangered military law enforcement and emphasised that violence against detainees should never be tolerated.

The Palestinian detainee featured in the video was released back to Gaza last month as part of an exchange involving hostages and prisoners. The case remains under consideration by the military court.

With inputs from PTI