Israeli Military Scandal: New Advocate General to Be Appointed Amid Rape Allegations

Strategic Insights -

The Israeli military's top lawyer, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, resigned after admitting to leaking footage showing soldiers gang-raping a Palestinian detainee at the notorious Sde Teiman prison. The leak sparked a firestorm of criticism from far-right politicians, who claim her actions betrayed the entity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the leak a "propaganda attack" that had caused "enormous damage" to Israel.

Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz is set to meet army chief of staff Eyal Zamir to discuss the appointment of a new military advocate general. The resignation comes amid a criminal investigation into the leak, which was launched by the Israeli army. At least nine soldiers were questioned over the assault, and five were indicted for "severe abuse" of the detainee, but not for rape.

Key Takeaways:

  • The resignation of Israeli military prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi followed an admission of leaking surveillance video from the Sde Teiman detention camp.
  • The leaked footage showed soldiers gang-raping a Palestinian detainee, causing widespread criticism and calls for investigation.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the leak a "propaganda attack" that had caused "enormous damage" to Israel.
  • Nine Israeli soldiers were questioned over the assault, and five were indicted for "severe abuse" of the detainee.
  • The case remains ongoing, with the soldiers involved in the brutal rape incident calling for the case to be dropped.
  • Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that the victim suffered a ruptured bowel, severe anal and lung injuries, broken ribs, and required surgery.
  • Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, Israeli prison authorities and the military have been accused of abusing Palestinian detainees.
  • 80 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since early October 2023, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
  • The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found evidence of systematic use of sexual violence by Israeli officers against Palestinians.

Statistics:

  • 88% of Israeli military investigations into allegations of war crimes by its soldiers since October 2023 have either been closed or produced no findings (Action on Armed Violence, August 2023).
  • 80 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since early October 2023 (Palestinian Prisoners' Society).
  • Nine soldiers were questioned over the assault ( Israeli Military).

Sources:

  • [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement]
  • [Action on Armed Violence, August 2023: "86% of Israeli Military Investigations into Alleged War Crimes Suggest a Pattern of Impunity"]
  • [Haaretz newspaper, 2023: "Palestinian detainee suffered ruptured bowel, severe anal and lung injuries, broken ribs, and required surgery"]
  • [Palestinian Prisoners' Society]
  • [UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory]
  • [Press TV, 2023]