Summary:
Maj. Gen. Iffat Tomer-Yershalmi resigned on Friday after acknowledging her involvement in a leaked video showing the violent abuse of Palestinian detainees by the Israeli military. The video, aired on an Israeli news channel in August 2024, depicted reservists at the Sde Teiman military base allegedly beating detainees and inflicting serious injuries. Five reservists have been charged with aggravated abuse, which they deny.
Following the leak, Tomer-Yershalmi faced intense political backlash, with Defense Minister Israel Katz condemning her actions and labeling those spreading allegations against the IDF as unfit for military service. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a severe public relations crisis for Israel.
Tomer-Yershalmi’s resignation came after she was reported missing but was later found safe. A criminal investigation into the leak is ongoing, with two individuals arrested in connection to it. The incident has deepened partisan divisions in Israel, with right-wing supporters viewing the leak as treasonous, while the left sees the decision to release the footage as a necessary step in addressing reports of abuse against detainees.
The video’s implications echo previous UN findings regarding the treatment of detainees, which the Israeli government denies, asserting compliance with international standards and thorough investigations of complaints.
