Why Israel Is Reeling After Top Military Lawyer Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s Arrest

Israel is in turmoil after the arrest of Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, its former top military lawyer, who admitted to leaking a video showing the abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison. The scandal has sent shockwaves through Israel’s defense establishment and intensified the country’s ongoing political divisions.

The former Military Advocate General — a rare woman to reach such a senior rank in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — now faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.

The Leak That Sparked a Firestorm

Tomer-Yerushalmi’s downfall began when she authorized the release of a surveillance video showing Israeli soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee on July 5, 2024.
According to prosecutors, the detainee suffered severe internal injuries after being sodomized with a knife during interrogation at the Sde Teiman facility.

A medical worker told the Associated Press that the victim’s condition was “life-threatening,” with multiple fractures and blunt trauma. The detainee later underwent emergency surgery before being returned to custody — and was eventually released to Gaza in a hostage-prisoner exchange last month.

Tomer-Yerushalmi said she leaked the footage to draw attention to the abuse and to protect the integrity of military investigations, insisting that “some actions must never be taken, even against the vilest of detainees.”

But her decision provoked a fierce backlash from Israel’s hard-right leadership, who accused her of betraying the army and embarrassing the nation.

From Resignation to Arrest

Facing mounting political pressure, Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned and briefly went missing, sparking fears that she had attempted suicide after her car and note were found near a Tel Aviv beach.
After an overnight search involving drones and police patrols, she was found alive — but emotionally distraught.

Soon after, military prosecutors opened a criminal probe, alleging that she had tampered with evidence and coordinated leaks.
A military court on Monday extended her detention until Wednesday.

Israeli media reported that Col. Matan Solomesh, a former chief military prosecutor, was also detained in connection with the case.

Right-wing commentators close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mocked her ordeal online.
“We can resume the lynch,” wrote TV host Yinon Magal, using a winking emoji — a remark widely condemned by human rights activists.

Deepening Political Divides

The scandal has widened existing fissures in Israeli society, already strained by two years of war and public anger over military accountability.
Analysts say the controversy reflects broader tensions between Israel’s judiciary and political leadership, with critics accusing the Netanyahu government of undermining democratic checks and balances within the military.

“The case has exposed three overlapping crises — abuse of detainees, political interference in investigations, and questions about legal integrity within the army,” said Yohanan Plesner of the Israel Democracy Institute.

Public opinion remains sharply divided. Some view Tomer-Yerushalmi as a whistleblower who stood up for ethics; others see her as a traitor who jeopardized national security.

Symbolism and Fallout

Tomer-Yerushalmi’s court appearance coincided with Israel’s commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination — a grim reminder of how political hatred once tore the country apart.

Observers note that her case has become a litmus test for Israel’s rule of law amid the growing influence of ultranationalist factions within Netanyahu’s coalition.

“It’s not just a legal scandal — it’s a reflection of a nation in moral crisis,” said an Israeli legal analyst quoted in Haaretz.

Conclusion

For many Israelis, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest represents more than just a criminal proceeding.
It encapsulates a broader national reckoning over morality, governance, and accountability in a country still navigating the pressures of war, occupation, and internal polarization.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus may shift from the abuse video itself to the deeper question haunting Israeli society:
Can justice survive politics?