Tel Aviv scandal shakes Israel as Ex-Military prosecutor leaks abuse video
Tel Aviv – Israel plunged into turmoil this week after Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, a former military prosecutor, admitted to leaking a disturbing video that exposed Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee. The incident triggered what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the most “severe public relations attack” since the country’s founding in 1948.
The controversy began last week when Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned from her post and vanished soon after. Police later found her car abandoned near a beach along with a cryptic note addressed to her family, raising fears that she had attempted suicide. Security forces launched an extensive manhunt using drones and coastal patrols. They found her alive on Sunday night and took her into custody for questioning.
The Leaked Video
The leaked footage, which surfaced on an Israeli news channel in August 2024, showed Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reservists at a southern military base assaulting a Palestinian detainee. The soldiers surrounded the man with riot shields to block cameras and then beat and stabbed him with a knife. The detainee later received treatment at a local hospital for cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and severe internal injuries.
Five IDF reservists faced criminal charges for violent assault. Investigators said the soldiers “stabbed the detainee’s lower body with a sharp object,” causing near-fatal injuries. The detainee was later released in October as part of a hostage exchange with Hamas.
Motive Behind the Leak
In her resignation letter, Tomer-Yerushalmi explained that she leaked the footage to expose what she described as “false propaganda” against military law enforcement. She argued that many right-wing politicians were dismissing reports of abuse as fabrications. “We must investigate every act of violence against detainees,” she wrote, adding that moral discipline within the army had weakened under political pressure.
Her decision split Israeli society. Some saw her as a whistleblower exposing systemic abuse. Others, including members of Netanyahu’s government, branded her a traitor.
Government Reaction
The Israeli government quickly condemned her actions. Netanyahu allies accused her of betraying the military and damaging Israel’s global image. Right-wing commentator Yinon Magal mocked her on X, writing, “We can resume the lynch,” adding a winking emoji that sparked further outrage.
Officials also alleged that Tomer-Yerushalmi faked her disappearance to destroy evidence. Meanwhile, legal experts debated whether her act of leaking classified material could be treated as treason under Israeli law.
Court and Public Response
The five accused soldiers appeared in court on Monday. They denied all charges. Four of them wore balaclavas to conceal their identities during a press briefing outside Jerusalem’s Supreme Court. Their lawyers demanded that the military drop the case, calling it politically motivated.
However, public anger remains divided. Some Israelis condemned the abuse and demanded accountability. Others rallied behind the accused soldiers, arguing that they acted under combat stress.
The scandal has deepened divisions within Israel’s security and political circles. As investigations continue, the case has become a test of Israel’s commitment to transparency, human rights, and military ethics amid growing global scrutiny.
