Israel’s Military Scandal — Ex-Top Lawyer Arrested Over Palestinian Detainee Abuse Video Leak

Israel is facing one of its most explosive military scandals in recent years after Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the country’s former top military lawyer and Military Advocate General (MAG), was arrested for leaking a video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers torturing and sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention facility.

The fallout has shaken the highest levels of Israel’s military, political, and judicial establishments — igniting outrage across the world and sparking intense debate over human rights violations and accountability within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

⚖️ What Happened: The Timeline

🔹 Leak and Resignation (Late October 2025)
According to BBC, Haaretz, and Al Jazeera, Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted to authorizing the leak of a disturbing video that allegedly shows Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee during interrogation at the Sde Teiman military base.

Within 24 hours of her admission, she resigned from her position as the IDF’s top legal officer — a post she had held since 2021 — citing “moral duty” and “irreconcilable differences with institutional silence.”

🔹 Disappearance and Arrest (November 2, 2025)
After her resignation, Tomer-Yerushalmi reportedly went missing for 12 hours, prompting a massive police search, as reported by Haaretz and CNN. She was later found alive near a Tel Aviv beach, arrested on suspicion of breach of security, destruction of evidence, and misconduct.

🔹 The Leaked Footage
The viral video, according to Middle East Eye and The Guardian, purportedly shows IDF guards taking turns sexually assaulting a blindfolded Palestinian detainee, believed to be from Gaza. The clip was reportedly filmed inside the Sde Teiman facility — a site already notorious for alleged torture and inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

🧩 Reactions Inside Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as quoted by The Times of Israel and OneIndia, condemned the leak, calling it “the most serious PR attack against Israel to date.” He stated the footage had been “weaponized by enemies” to defame the IDF, without directly addressing the abuse allegations.

However, Israeli opposition leaders and rights activists slammed the government’s response, arguing that the arrest of the whistleblower, not the perpetrators, reveals systemic moral decay within Israel’s leadership.

Haaretz columnist Amos Harel wrote,

“The arrest of Tomer-Yerushalmi marks the criminalization of conscience — where exposing truth is seen as betrayal, and silence is patriotism.”

🌍 Global Reaction

International media coverage has been fierce.

• BBC reported that Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest “adds a new layer of crisis for a military already under scrutiny.”

• The Guardian described her as “a whistleblower punished for exposing sexual violence under occupation.”

• Al Jazeera called it “a moment of reckoning for Israel’s military justice system.”

• The Washington Post noted growing calls for an independent international investigation into Sde Teiman abuses.

Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have demanded Israel release all evidence and prosecute the soldiers involved, not just the source of the leak.

💬 Social Media Storm

The case has lit up social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where journalists, historians, and activists have weighed in:

• William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) criticized Western media for “cowardice,” noting that outlets avoided the word rape when describing the assault.

• Asad AbuKhalil (@asadabukhalil) blasted The New York Times for “downplaying regular Israeli abuse of Arabs.”

• Taha Siddiqui (@TahaSSiddiqui) posted BBC’s link, noting the “moral courage” behind the whistleblowing act.

The outrage highlights a growing rift between Israel’s official narrative and the perception among international observers.

🧠 Who is Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi?

As profiled by livemint.com and Bloomberg, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is a decorated legal officer who served for over two decades in Israel’s military justice system.

She earned respect for prosecuting internal misconduct but also faced criticism for defending controversial IDF operations in Gaza.

Her resignation letter, published by The Times of Israel, stated:

“The system I swore to defend now defends those who dishonor it. Justice cannot coexist with silence.”

🚨 The Sde Teiman Facility: A Pattern of Abuse

The Sde Teiman detention center, located in southern Israel, has been repeatedly accused of violating international law. Reports by Haaretz, Middle East Eye, and Anadolu Agency cite routine beatings, sleep deprivation, and sexual humiliation of Palestinian detainees.

Despite photographic and testimonial evidence, Israeli courts have often dismissed complaints, citing “national security.”

As per Anadolu Ajansı, several soldiers seen in the leaked video bragged online about their actions, referring to the incident as “a lesson to terrorists.”

⚔️ Political and Legal Fallout

• Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered a review of the arrest but has not intervened in the military probe.

• Defense lawyers representing the soldiers are now demanding dismissal of abuse charges, claiming the leak compromised a “fair trial,” as per The New York Times.

• Meanwhile, the IDF has nominated Brig. Gen. Doron Ben Barak as interim MAG, per Ynetnews, signaling attempts to stabilize the institution amid chaos.

🕊️ Human Rights Implications

The scandal reignites global debate over Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees and accountability in military justice.

Experts fear that Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest will deter future whistleblowers, deepening the culture of impunity. Truthout and Middle East Eye argue that the case “symbolizes Israel’s moral collapse in handling occupied populations.”

UN human rights observers have hinted that the incident may warrant international investigation under the Geneva Conventions if Israel refuses transparency.

📉 Public Sentiment and Diplomatic Repercussions

The Israeli public is sharply divided. While some view Tomer-Yerushalmi as a traitor who compromised national security, others see her as a hero of conscience.

Protests have erupted in Tel Aviv and Haifa demanding her release, while pro-government voices have accused “foreign-backed activists” of exploiting the scandal to smear Israel globally.

Arab nations and European diplomats have expressed “grave concern,” with France, Norway, and Ireland reportedly pushing for an EU-level statement condemning detainee abuse.

🧾 Conclusion

The Sde Teiman scandal has ripped open Israel’s carefully guarded military secrecy, exposing the tension between national security and human rights.

Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest has become more than a legal issue — it’s now a symbolic trial of Israel’s conscience.

Whether Israel chooses justice or cover-up will determine not only its moral standing but also its credibility on the world stage.