Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, an Israeli military prosecutor, has been dismissed from her position after allegedly leaking footage showing Palestinian detainees being tortured in Israeli custody. The scandal has sparked outrage and intensified scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Prosecutor Admits to Leaking Torture Footage
According to reports in Israeli media, Yerushalmi admitted in her resignation letter that she was responsible for leaking video evidence showing Israeli soldiers at the Sde Teiman Detention Center sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee. The footage, which circulated online, revealed harrowing scenes of abuse and fueled international condemnation.
Israeli police confirmed that Yerushalmi, who had been reported missing after her dismissal, was found alive hours later. Authorities said an investigation is underway into both the leak and the conduct of soldiers shown in the video.
Video Exposes Systematic Abuse
The leaked video reportedly depicts scenes of torture and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees inside the Sde Teiman facility, exposing the scale of brutality within Israeli detention centers. Human rights organizations have long accused Israel of violating international law in its treatment of Palestinians, but this is the first time such graphic evidence has emerged from within the Israeli system itself.
Netanyahu: “The Most Severe Propaganda Attack in Israel’s History”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incident, acknowledging the deep damage it caused to Israel’s global reputation.
“The assault on a Palestinian detainee by Israeli soldiers at Sde Teiman has severely harmed the image of the State of Israel, the IDF, and our soldiers,” Netanyahu said. “This may be the most intense propaganda attack Israel has faced since its establishment. I do not recall such a powerful and damaging event. An independent investigation, free from any political influence, must be conducted.”
Suicide Note Found at Prosecutor’s Home
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported that police discovered a suicide note at Yerushalmi’s home after she went missing. The note’s contents have not been publicly disclosed, but sources say it expressed remorse and fear over the political and legal fallout of her actions.
The Israeli military has yet to comment officially on whether the soldiers involved in the footage have been detained or suspended. Meanwhile, international calls for accountability and transparency are growing louder.
