Israeli Military’s Ex-Top Lawyer Arrested as Scandal Over Video Leak Deepens
Herzliya, Israel – Two individuals, including recently resigned Maj. Gen. Tomer-yerushalmi, the former head of the Israeli military’s legal corps, where arrested overnight on suspicion of “leaking and other serious criminal offences,” police announced. The arrests mark a important escalation in the inquiry surrounding the unauthorized release of a video depicting the alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee.
The criminal investigation into the leak was launched last week, prompting Yerushalmi to be placed on leave. Defense Minister Israel Katz later stated she would not be permitted to return to her post,leading to yerushalmi’s resignation on Friday.
In her resignation letter,Yerushalmi accepted obligation for any material released to the media from her unit,explaining she had approved the release “in an attempt to counter false propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities.” This refers to claims by some right-wing Israeli political figures that allegations of severe abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility were fabricated. she further stated, “It is our duty to investigate whenever there is reasonable suspicion of acts of violence against a detainee.”
Following her resignation, Katz issued a strong condemnation, stating, “Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army’s uniform.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these sentiments on Sunday, describing the incident as “perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced as its establishment.”
Earlier this week, reports emerged in Israeli media that Yerushalmi was missing, triggering a large-scale search. She was later found “safe and in good health” in the coastal area of herzliya, according to Israeli police.
The second individual arrested was identified by Israeli media as Col.Matan Solomosh, the former chief military prosecutor. The investigation continues.
