Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the top military advocate general of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), resigned after admitting she approved the leak of a graphic surveillance video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center.

A video that emerged in August 2024 has sparked a wave of public outrage and led to a criminal investigation into the abuse depicted and the circumstances surrounding the leak. The footage, which shows disturbing scenes of detainee mistreatment, has prompted serious legal and ethical questions within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

In a resignation letter addressed to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi underscored her unwavering dedication to the rule of law throughout her 30-year tenure in the military. She admitted to authorizing the video leak, intending it as a countermeasure against what she termed “false propaganda” aimed at military law enforcement authorities. “I take full responsibility for any information disseminated from our unit,” she noted, citing this accountability as the catalyst for her decision to resign.

The video allegedly displays severe physical abuse of detainees, including beatings that resulted in one detainee suffering broken ribs and internal injuries. Although criminal charges have been filed against five reservists allegedly involved in the incident, critics contend that higher-ranking officials and systemic flaws have yet to be addressed.

After the video’s release, Tomer-Yerushalmi faced intense backlash from political leaders, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, who accused her of damaging the IDF’s reputation by leaking the footage. The IDF swiftly accepted her resignation and appointed an acting military advocate to restore stability and morale within the legal unit.

While Tomer-Yerushalmi positioned her actions as a defense of legal standards and transparency, her resignation highlights ongoing failures to fully address abuses and protect victims within the military framework. As the Sde Teiman detention center continues its operations, pressing questions remain around achieving justice for the victims and ensuring accountability among the military ranks.