Israel’s military justice system faces unprecedented chaos as its top lawyer leaked evidence of alleged soldier abuse, then vanished before being arrested in a scandal that exposes deep fractures in the nation’s security establishment.
Story Overview
- Military Advocate General leaked video showing alleged sexual abuse of Palestinian detainee by Israeli soldiers
- Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned, disappeared, and was arrested on multiple charges including obstruction of justice
- Prime Minister Netanyahu called it “the greatest PR disaster in Israel’s history”
- Case reveals dangerous breakdown between military accountability and political loyalty during wartime
Military Leader’s Unprecedented Betrayal
Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi committed an act virtually unheard of in Israel’s tightly controlled security environment. As the Israeli military’s top lawyer, she authorized the leak of surveillance footage allegedly showing soldiers sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman military prison. The July 2024 incident involved video evidence that Tomer-Yerushalmi released to media outlets in late 2024, claiming she wanted to counter perceptions that the military unfairly targeted its own soldiers.
The decision triggered a political firestorm that ultimately destroyed her career and landed her in jail. Hard-line government figures accused her of defaming the military and committing what Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called a “blood libel” against Israeli soldiers. This unprecedented leak by a senior military official represents a dangerous precedent that undermines military discipline and operational security during ongoing conflicts with Hamas and other terrorist groups.
Dramatic Disappearance and Arrest
Following intense public backlash in late October 2025, Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned under pressure and left a cryptic note before mysteriously disappearing. Her vanishing act prompted a public search that ended when authorities found her on a Tel Aviv beach. The dramatic sequence of events added a bizarre personal element to an already explosive political scandal that has divided Israeli society.
Tomer-Yerushalmi was subsequently arrested alongside former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh in early November 2025. Both remain in custody as of November 4, 2025, with their detention extended by the military court. She faces serious charges including fraud, breach of trust, abuse of official power, obstruction of justice, and unauthorized disclosure of classified information that could result in significant prison time.
Government Response Highlights Security Concerns
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s condemnation of the scandal as “the greatest PR disaster in Israel’s history” underscores the severe damage to Israel’s international reputation and military credibility. The leak occurred at the worst possible time, as Israel faces intense international scrutiny over its military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. This undermines Israel’s ability to defend its actions on the world stage.
The case has become a dangerous wedge issue that threatens military unity when Israel needs it most. Protesters outside Tomer-Yerushalmi’s home correctly labeled her a “traitor” for prioritizing her personal agenda over national security interests. Her actions demonstrate how liberal ideology can infiltrate even the highest levels of the military establishment, creating internal threats to operational effectiveness and troop morale during wartime operations.
Sources:
Israel rocked by scandal as top military lawyer resigns, goes missing, is found and thrown into jail
