Israeli police have arrested former military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi after a video surfaced showing soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee.
She faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and leaking classified information.
Israeli authorities have arrested former military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi following the release of a controversial video allegedly showing soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee. Her detention, confirmed by police on Monday, came after a chaotic weekend marked by her resignation and brief disappearance, which drew national attention.
Tomer-Yerushalmi reportedly resigned from her position on Friday after admitting that her office had authorized the release of the disputed footage to the media in 2024. The video, filmed at the Sde Teiman military base, appeared to show soldiers handling a Palestinian detainee during the Gaza conflict in a degrading manner.
Following the release of the footage, Israeli prosecutors in 2024 charged five reservist soldiers with violent offenses, accusing them of severely beating and stabbing the detainee with a sharp object. Prosecutors said the abuse caused multiple injuries, including cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and internal bleeding.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest on Telegram, noting that she was being held under close supervision. He said authorities were “acting with extra vigilance to ensure her safety” while in custody. Ben Gvir also urged investigators to “conduct a professional inquiry to uncover the full truth about the incident that damaged the reputation of the Israeli Defense Forces.”
Israeli media reported that a Tel Aviv court ordered her remanded in custody until Wednesday on charges that include fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and disclosure of classified information. Another official from the military prosecution department is reportedly under investigation in connection with the same case.
The Israeli army confirmed that Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation had been accepted and that a new probe was underway to determine the circumstances of the video’s leak. The footage, broadcast by Channel 12 in August 2024, showed soldiers apparently concealing acts of abuse behind a group of their colleagues. While the video did not display the physical assault directly, it sparked global outrage and calls for accountability.
International human rights groups and local activists condemned the incident, describing it as a symbol of growing impunity within the ranks of the military. The controversy also prompted protests across several Israeli cities, with demonstrators demanding reforms in how detainees are handled during wartime operations.
In February 2025, the Israeli military said it had compiled strong evidence, including surveillance recordings and medical documents, supporting the charges against the accused soldiers. Officials confirmed the assault took place on July 5, 2024, while the detainee was blindfolded and restrained during a search operation at Sde Teiman.
Meanwhile, reports from Channel 12 suggested that Tomer-Yerushalmi may have staged her disappearance before being found and arrested. Police sources said investigators believe she tried to get rid of her phone, which may contain critical data related to the leak. Some outlets also claimed she left behind a handwritten note that hinted at a possible suicide attempt.
The scandal has drawn renewed attention to Israel’s handling of Palestinian detainees. A United Nations report published in October 2024 accused Israeli forces of carrying out widespread mistreatment of detainees during the Gaza conflict, describing the alleged acts as “torture and crimes against humanity.”
Israel has dismissed the UN report, calling it biased and insisting that its armed forces adhere to international law and human rights standards.
Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest has deepened public debate within Israel over transparency, accountability, and the military’s ethical responsibilities during wartime. The case has also raised concerns about institutional integrity in the justice system, as critics argue that the government must balance national security with adherence to legal and moral standards.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say more arrests may follow as they seek to uncover the full scope of the scandal.
