Israeli police have arrested former military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi following a scandal involving a leaked video that appeared to show soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.
The arrest was confirmed on Monday by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who said authorities would ensure her safety while in custody.
Tomer-Yerushalmi went missing for several hours on Sunday after announcing her resignation, sparking speculation in the Israeli press about a possible suicide attempt. Her resignation letter, published Friday by local media, revealed that she had acknowledged her office’s role in releasing the controversial footage to the media last year.
The video, aired in 2024, led to the indictment of five reservists accused of assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military base. The soldiers were charged with using “a sharp object” to stab the detainee near the rectum, causing severe physical injuries, including cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and a rectal tear.
Ben Gvir said on Telegram that “in light of last night’s events, the prison service would act with extra vigilance to ensure the detainee’s safety in the detention centre where she has been placed in custody.” He added that the investigation must be “conducted professionally to uncover the full truth regarding the case that led to a blood libel against IDF soldiers.”
A Tel Aviv court has ordered Tomer-Yerushalmi’s remand until Wednesday noon. Public broadcaster Kan reported that she faces allegations of “fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, obstruction of justice and disclosure of information by a public servant.” Another military prosecution member is also implicated.
The Israeli army had announced her resignation on Friday, citing an ongoing investigation into the leaked Sde Teiman footage. The footage, first aired by Channel 12 in August 2024, depicted scenes suggesting soldiers’ mistreatment of a detainee during a search operation at the military base, which has held Palestinians captured during the Gaza war.
The abuse reportedly took place on July 5, 2024, when the detainee, blindfolded and handcuffed, was taken to a secluded area near the prison. Surveillance videos and medical documents provided substantial evidence of the incident.
The footage triggered international outrage and internal protests, with widespread condemnation of the Israeli military’s handling of detainees. Yedioth Ahronoth described the case as a “heavy blow to Israel’s image and the legitimacy of the IDF.”
Israeli police now suspect Tomer-Yerushalmi staged her disappearance to dispose of her phone, which may have contained compromising information, though some outlets reported she left behind a letter resembling a suicide note.
In October 2024, a UN commission alleged that thousands of detainees faced “widespread and systematic abuse” in Israeli detention centres, amounting to “war crimes and crimes against humanity of torture.” Israel dismissed the claims as “outrageous,” asserting its commitment to international legal standards for detainee treatment.
What you should know
Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel’s former military advocate general, was arrested for leaking a video showing soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.
Her case has sparked public outcry, linked to broader allegations of detainee mistreatment that drew UN condemnation and intensified scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct during the Gaza conflict.
