In a dramatic turn of events that has gripped Israeli society and reignited global debates over military conduct, authorities confirmed on Monday, November 3, 2025, the arrest of Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the nation's former military advocate general. The high-profile detention follows a scandal centered on a leaked video purportedly depicting Israeli soldiers engaging in the abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military base. This incident, rooted in events from the ongoing Gaza conflict, has unfolded against a backdrop of intense political pressure, media speculation, and calls for accountability within Israel's defense establishment.
The arrest capped a chaotic weekend for Tomer-Yerushalmi, who tendered her resignation from her influential post amid mounting controversy. On Sunday, November 2, she was reported missing for several hours, fueling rampant speculation across Israeli media outlets. Reports suggested the possibility of a suicide attempt, with some commentators linking her disappearance to the overwhelming stress of the unfolding scandal. Local news channels aired frantic updates, interviewing colleagues and family members who expressed concern, while social media buzzed with unverified theories about her whereabouts. By evening, she was located, but the episode only amplified the public's fascination and unease with the case.
Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation letter, which surfaced in Israeli media on Friday, October 31, contained a stunning admission: her office had deliberately released the incriminating footage to journalists the previous year. The video in question, captured at the Sde Teiman base—a facility repurposed for holding Palestinians detained during operations in Gaza—showed soldiers allegedly mistreating a blindfolded and handcuffed individual. Although the clip did not explicitly depict the most graphic acts of violence, it reportedly included scenes of troops attempting to obscure the camera's view, shielding what prosecutors later described as severe abuses from scrutiny.
This leak, first broadcast by Channel 12 in August 2024, propelled the case into the national spotlight. In response, military prosecutors charged five reservist soldiers with a litany of serious offenses, including "acting against the detainee with severe violence." Court documents revealed horrifying details: the soldiers allegedly stabbed the detainee near the rectum with a sharp object, resulting in "severe physical injury," such as cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and an internal rectal tear. The assault occurred on July 5, 2024, during a routine search operation, where the victim was isolated in a separate area of the base. The Israeli military, in a February 2025 statement, confirmed it had amassed substantial evidence, including surveillance videos, medical examinations, and witness testimonies, to substantiate these charges.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a controversial figure known for his hardline stance on security issues, personally addressed the arrest via a Telegram post. He announced that, in light of the previous night's developments, the prison service had been instructed to exercise "extra vigilance" to protect Tomer-Yerushalmi's safety while in custody. Ben Gvir emphasized the imperative for a professional investigation, stating, "It is important to conduct the investigation professionally in order to uncover the full truth regarding the case that led to a blood libel against IDF soldiers." His use of the term "blood libel"—historically evoking antisemitic tropes—underscored the defensive posture adopted by some Israeli officials, framing the scandal as an exaggerated attack on the military's reputation.
A Tel Aviv court swiftly intervened, ordering Tomer-Yerushalmi's remand in custody until noon on Wednesday, November 5. She faces an array of suspicions, including fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and the unlawful disclosure of information by a public servant. Complicating matters further, another member of the military prosecution authority has been implicated, suggesting the leak may involve a broader network within the system. The Israeli army, in prior statements, had acknowledged her resignation and launched an internal probe into the video's dissemination, reiterating its commitment to upholding ethical standards.
The Sde Teiman base itself has become a symbol of contention. Established as a detention center amid the war sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel—which killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of hundreds—the facility has housed thousands of Palestinians captured in Gaza operations. The leaked footage, while not showing the abuse outright, captured enough to ignite domestic protests and international outrage. Demonstrators in Israel decried what they saw as systemic failures in oversight, while human rights organizations amplified calls for independent investigations.
Police suspicions added a layer of intrigue to Tomer-Yerushalmi's brief disappearance. Channel 12 reported that investigators believe she may have orchestrated the vanishing act to discard her mobile phone, potentially erasing digital evidence that could implicate her further. Some media outlets claimed she left a note at her home, interpretable as a suicide letter, though authorities have not confirmed its contents. This narrative of personal crisis intertwined with professional misconduct has dominated headlines, painting a portrait of a once-respected legal figure unraveling under pressure.
On the international stage, the arrest has amplified scrutiny of Israel's detention practices. A United Nations commission report, published in October 2024, accused Israeli forces of inflicting "widespread and systematic abuse" on thousands of detainees in military camps. The document labeled these acts as "war crimes and crimes against humanity of torture," citing patterns of beatings, sexual violence, and degrading treatment. Israel vehemently rejected the findings, dismissing them as "outrageous" and affirming its adherence to "international legal standards regarding the treatment of detainees." Diplomatic tensions have flared, with allies like the United States urging transparency, while adversaries exploit the scandal to criticize Israel's conduct in the protracted Gaza war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
Domestically, the Tomer-Yerushalmi affair has deepened fissures within Israeli society. Debates rage over military accountability, ethical boundaries in wartime, and the erosion of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) global image. Supporters of the soldiers argue that the charges represent a "witch hunt" motivated by political agendas, particularly from left-leaning media and international bodies. Critics, including former military officials and human rights advocates, contend that the leak exposed necessary truths about unchecked power in detention facilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, already navigating coalition pressures from figures like Ben Gvir, faces renewed calls for reforms to prevent future abuses.
As the investigation proceeds, the case underscores the fragile intersection of law, security, and public trust in a nation embroiled in conflict. Tomer-Yerushalmi's custody extends a saga that began with a single video but has evolved into a referendum on Israel's moral compass during wartime. With court proceedings looming and potential revelations from her phone or colleagues, the full extent of the leak's orchestration remains uncertain. What is clear is that this scandal will echo through Israel's institutions, influencing policy, perceptions, and the ongoing discourse on human rights in the shadow of the Gaza war.
The broader implications extend beyond one individual's fate. For the IDF, it prompts soul-searching about training, oversight, and the psychological toll on soldiers operating in high-stress environments. For Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it reinforces narratives of systemic injustice. Internationally, it complicates Israel's diplomatic efforts, even as it defends its actions as necessary responses to existential threats. As Wednesday's remand hearing approaches, all eyes remain on Tel Aviv, where justice, politics, and history converge in a trial that could redefine accountability in one of the world's most scrutinized conflicts.
