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Former Israeli military lawyer Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested on Sunday over her admitted role in leaking a video showing Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian prisoner. Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned as the military’s Advocate General on Friday, took full responsibility for the leak, claiming she did so to counter “propaganda” against the Israeli Defence Forces’ legal department. The leaked video, filmed at the Sde Teiman military base, shows soldiers beating and stabbing a detainee while blocking visibility with riot shields. Five reserve soldiers were subsequently charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm to the detainee, and have denied the charges. However, on Sunday, four of the Israeli reservists, wearing black balaclavas to conceal their identities, appeared at a Jerusalem news conference with their lawyers, demanding their trial be dismissed. Their lawyer, Adi Keidar, alleged that his clients faced a biased and flawed legal process. A criminal investigation was launched last week into the leaked video, prompting Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi’s suspension. Before the probe concluded, Defence Minister Israel Katz announced she wouldn’t be allowed to return to her role. Following the Defence Minister’s announcement, Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned, taking full responsibility in the resignation letter for the leaked video, stating that any material released to the media from her unit was her responsibility. “I approved the release of material to the media in an attempt to counter false propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities,” she said. The reference likely refers to attempts by some Israeli right-wing politicians to discredit the allegations of abuse, suggesting they were fabricated or exaggerated. “It is our duty to investigate whenever there is reasonable suspicion of acts of violence against a detainee,” she added. After her resignation, Katz issued a fierce condemnation of her conduct. “Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army’s uniform,” he said. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Sde Teiman incident as a severe PR attack on Israel. Shortly after, reports emerged that Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi was missing, prompting a massive search effort amid fears for her safety. She was later found safe and in good health in Herzliya. The police spokesperson further announced the arrest of two individuals suspected of leaking information and other serious offenses. According to reports, the arrestees are Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi and former chief military prosecutor Col Matan Solomosh. The Sde Teiman incident has exposed deep divisions in Israel, with the right viewing the leaked video as a defamation of the military, bordering on treason. Right-wing protesters, including some lawmakers, also stormed the facility in support of the accused reservists. Meanwhile, the left views Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi’s role in releasing the footage as a rare instance of her fulfilling her responsibilities. The left sees the video as proof of the abuse of Palestinian detainees, consistent with reports since the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks. A UN report alleged widespread abuse, torture, and sexual violence against detainees from Gaza, which Israel’s government denied, claiming adherence to international law and thorough investigations into complaints. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
