Military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel on military advocacy, has been arrested. She admits to leaking video footage that is supposed to show Israeli soldiers brutally attacking a Palestinian detainee. The incident occurred in the Sde Teiman military detention center. This facility is perhaps best known for the horrific torture alleging that have occurred there. Her admission, made while addressing Israel’s high court, has raised significant concerns regarding the rule of law and the integrity of military processes within the country.
Tomer-Yerushalmi’s proposals have sparked intense opposition from senior government officials, as well as far-right Knesset members. Their chief complaint has been that she is damaging Israel’s reputation in the international community. Regardless, that leaked footage has already done the irreparable harm. In retribution, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, called its purveyors “blood libel spreaders.” Following the tragedy, Tomer-Yerushalmi stepped down from her post. Since then, a far-right lynching mob has assembled outside the Sde Teiman military base, demanding that prosecution of these soldiers cease.
The video leak was part of her effort to counter what she termed as “false propaganda against army law enforcement bodies.” Tomer-Yerushalmi justified her position by claiming releasing the video was “necessary.” This kind of transparency would be immensely helpful to military investigators and prosecutors trying the case. She stated, “Don’t they understand we had no choice? That the only way to address the wave of international legal proceedings is by proving we can investigate ourselves?” This quote highlights her belief that transparency is the key to an institution’s legitimacy in the face of increasing international scrutiny.
In late July 2024, the aftermath of this debacle erupted again. Israeli prosecutors just recently raided the military detention center at Sde Teiman. Particularly noteworthy is the importance placed on accountability. This operation led to the detention of eleven soldiers for questioning. As a result of this attack captured in the leaked video, five of these soldiers have been charged with aggravated abuse. They are finally being held criminally liable for inflicting great bodily injury. As national security experts have testified on multiple occasions, this is a particularly acute and damning threat to Israel’s international standing.
As news of Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest spread on social media, activists began to express their fears for her safety. After she disappeared last Sunday, authorities found her abandoned car at a beach near Tel Aviv. Instead, what they discovered inside immediately sent up red flags about her health and welfare. The protests directed at her now include ominous chants such as “We will give you no peace.” These paradoxical slogans capture the bitterness and anger that characterize her highly politicized case.
Prof. Yagil Levy commented on the implications of this case, suggesting that it highlights how “the law is not upheld as a value in itself, but as a defense against international tribunals.” They aren’t alone in sharing this perspective. They claim that Tomer-Yerushalmi had genuine intentions because she wanted to protect Israeli soldiers from being prosecuted in foreign jurisdictions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed in on the controversy, stating, “This is perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the state of Israel has experienced since its establishment.” His remarks illustrate the government’s concern regarding the impact of this incident on Israel’s reputation and international relations.
That case is changing quickly. It’s unknown how it will affect ongoing debates about military conduct and accountability more generally, both in Israel and in the international community. Public sentiment is quickly shifting, making this a political loser. In light of this, folks are naturally going to be watching more closely to see what this means for law enforcement and military oversight, domestically and abroad.