Advocate General Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the chief legal officer of the Israeli army, has resigned from her post. She stated that her resignation is linked to a criminal investigation that was launched after a video came to light.
Israel: The Israeli army (IDF) is once again embroiled in global controversy after a video surfaced showing the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees during the Gaza war. Amidst this incident, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the chief legal officer of the Israel Defense Forces, has resigned from her position.
She admitted that in August 2024, she had authorized the leak of a video that depicted Israeli soldiers mistreating a Palestinian prisoner during the Gaza war. This matter has now become a legal and ethical crisis for both the Israeli army and the government.
Video Leak Causes Uproar
The video, leaked in August 2024, showed several Israeli soldiers dragging and mistreating a Palestinian detainee at a detention facility named Sde Teiman. This video was broadcast on Israel's N12 News channel, leading to sharp international reactions concerning human rights violations.
In the video, soldiers are seen wearing riot gear, and one soldier holding a dog is seen approaching the detainee. This is the same detention center where Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks were held. Human rights organizations condemned the Israeli army over this video, stating that it could fall under the category of a “war crime.”
Tomer-Yerushalmi Accepts Responsibility
During the investigation, when it was revealed that Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the army's chief legal officer herself, had authorized the broadcast of the video, she voluntarily decided to resign. In her resignation, she wrote, "I permitted the broadcast of the video because I believed transparency was essential. However, if this decision has harmed the image of the Israeli army, I accept responsibility. I am no longer entitled to wear the IDF uniform."
She further stated, "Some of those detained in Sde Teiman are the most dangerous terrorists, but that does not mean compromising on humane treatment. The law must be applied equally to everyone."
Uproar in Israeli Politics
Following Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation, sharp reactions were seen in Israeli political circles. Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, "Anyone who makes false accusations against Israeli soldiers is not worthy of wearing the IDF uniform." Meanwhile, Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed her resignation, saying that “this is a severe blow to the so-called ‘human rights lobby’ within the army.”
Ben-Gvir posted a video in which he was seen standing over Palestinian prisoners, stating, ‘These are the October 7 murderers; they deserve the death penalty.’
