Israel’s Chief Military Prosecutor Was Arrested for Leaking Video of Palestinian Torture

Ifat Tomer-Yerushalmi

Former military prosecutor general arrested in Israel Major General Ifat Tomer-Yerushalmi and former chief prosecutor of the army Colonel Matan Solomosh.

They are accused of leak of classified materialsincluding video torture of a Palestinian prisoneras well as in obstruction of justice and giving false testimony.

Five against one

The incident occurred in the summer of 2024 at a military base Sde-Teyman in southern Israel, where residents of the sector were held Gazasuspected of terrorism. Video published by the publication Times of Israelshows a group of soldiers surrounding a prisoner, hiding him from the cameras, and then beating him. The man was later hospitalized with serious injuries, including broken ribs and internal injuries.

The detention center in Sde Teiman has long acquired a bad reputation due to reports of ill-treatment of detaineesviolations of medical regulations and arbitrary punishments. In July 2024, military police arrested five reservists suspected of torture. The television report shown later caused widespread public outcry.

From leak to arrest

The investigation found that Tomer Yerushalmi office approved the release to journalists of two videos documenting the violence. According to Ynetthe decision was made by a group of eight officers, but not everyone supported it. After pressure from the Minister of Defense Israel Katz the general resigned on November 1, admitting that she personally authorized the release of the video “in the name of transparency.”

A day later, Yerushalmi’s car was found on the beach. She wasn’t nearby, but there was a note in the car: “I love you, take care.” After several hours of searching, the woman was found alive and arrested. Police believe the suicide attempt may have been staged. Her safety is now ensured by enhanced security.

Political storm

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the leak “perhaps the most serious propaganda attack on Israel since its founding.” The government blamed the leak for damaging the army’s reputation, while human rights organizations insist it was not the publication, but the fact itself torture and humiliation of prisoners.

After the source of the leak was revealed, far-right politicians called Yerushalmi a “traitor” and accused her of undermining army morale. Leader of the Democratic Party Yair Golan drew parallels with the persecution of the former prime minister Yitzhak Rabinkilled by an extremist in 1995, saying that “the same rhetoric of hate is returning today.”

President Isaac Herzog called for “a stop to mutual recriminations,” emphasizing that “words out of control ignite a dangerous fire.” Meanwhile consequence continues, but Yerushalmi herself is officially stripped of her position and remains in custody.

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