JERUSALEM (AP) – The resignation of Israel's top military prosecutor, Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has sparked intense criticism and debate within the country. Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted responsibility for leaking a video that allegedly shows soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility, known for its controversial treatment of Palestinian prisoners. The admission was made in a letter where she expressed her reasoning for the leak, which was aimed at countering accusations that the military prioritized Palestinian detainees over Israeli troops.
The leaked video first aired on Israel's Channel 12 and purportedly depicted an incident in which soldiers sodomized a Palestinian detainee from Gaza. The military was already investigating the case, with several soldiers arrested for their suspected involvement. This incident elicited a furious response from hard-line ultranationalists in Israel, who protested violently at the detention facility, expressing their outrage over the allegations against the soldiers.
In her resignation letter, Tomer-Yerushalmi stated that she felt a moral obligation for the military to thoroughly investigate allegations of violence against detainees. She lamented the fading consensus on this critical principle, stating, “Unfortunately, this basic understanding – that there are actions which must never be taken even against the vilest of detainees – no longer convinces everyone.” This statement reflects the growing division within Israeli society regarding military conduct and human rights.
The situation underscores the delicate balance that military prosecutors like Tomer-Yerushalmi must strike amid rising political pressure from right-wing factions in Israel. They accuse her office of being excessively lenient on alleged wartime misconduct by Israeli soldiers. This resignation and ensuing backlash against Tomer-Yerushalmi occur against a backdrop of broader political efforts aimed at overhauling Israel's judicial system, perceived by some leaders as an impediment to government policies.
Following her resignation, Defense Minister Israel Katz and a chorus of Israeli lawmakers condemned Tomer-Yerushalmi's actions. Katz stressed that she would not be reinstated and confirmed that investigations would continue into those involved in the decision to leak the video. This reaction reflects the volatile political atmosphere surrounding military and judicial accountability in Israel, especially concerning issues related to Palestinians.
Human rights organizations have criticized the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli military detention facilities. Reports indicate that Palestinians are often apprehended en masse and held without charge for extended periods, facing harsh conditions, including violence from guards and inadequate living standards. The Sde Teiman facility, where the incident from the leaked video occurred, has particularly drawn scrutiny due to allegations of abuse.
The entire episode reveals the challenges faced by military prosecutors like Tomer-Yerushalmi, who navigate the complexities of legal accountability amidst escalating political pressures. While she intended to shed light on serious allegations against soldiers, her actions have invoked a storm of political retribution, ultimately leading to her resignation.
