In a stunning development, Israel’s Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigns amid accusations of leaking classified material, submitting false affidavits, and obstructing internal investigations.
Israel’s Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, tendered her resignation Friday morning, following a dramatic admission that she approved leaking classified material to the media.
Her letter of resignation, addressed to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, sent shockwaves through Israel’s military and legal establishment.
Lt. Gen. Zamir accepted her resignation immediately, vowing to “stabilize the Military Advocate General’s Corps and safeguard IDF soldiers,” emphasizing that “a thorough and truthful inquiry will be conducted.”
🧾 The Scandal: Leaks, False Affidavits, and Obstruction
The case against Tomer-Yerushalmi has rapidly escalated.
According to Channel 12 News, senior IDF officers provided investigators with direct testimony implicating her in multiple serious offenses:
- Authorizing the leak of confidential military material to journalists.
- Submitting a false affidavit to the Israeli Supreme Court.
- Obstructing internal investigations.
- Falsifying official conclusions in sensitive IDF inquiries.
Police sources reportedly possess objective evidence supporting these allegations, including internal correspondence and legal drafts.
🧠 The Polygraph Bombshell
The turning point came during Sukkot, when a polygraph test administered to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit legal advisor yielded explosive revelations.
The results were immediately transferred to Shin Bet chief David Zini, who had taken office only three days earlier.
Investigative sources revealed that the confessions made during the test were intentional, not accidental, suggesting a coordinated effort by whistleblowers to expose internal misconduct.
🗣️ Fear, Retaliation, and a Breaking Point
For months, IDF legal officers reportedly feared retaliation from Tomer-Yerushalmi. But after her credibility eroded under mounting scrutiny, several decided to come forward and cooperate.
At least four officers have already been questioned or are scheduled to testify soon.
While Tomer-Yerushalmi has not yet been formally summoned by police, sources indicate that her interrogation is imminent.
⚔️ Institutional Fallout
The resignation marks one of the most serious crises ever to hit the IDF’s legal command structure, an institution central to Israel’s military ethics and international legitimacy.
Critics warn that the scandal could undermine public confidence in military law enforcement at a time when IDF conduct is under international scrutiny.
Yet, within the IDF, senior figures praised Zamir’s swift response and commitment to transparency, calling it a “necessary step to restore trust.”
🕎 Analysis: Integrity Under Fire
Maj. Gen. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s downfall underscores the growing tension between military justice, media influence, and political oversight in Israel.
Her admission that she leaked material “to repel false accusations against military law enforcement” reflects a dangerous breach of legal ethics, however well-intentioned she may have claimed it was.
The coming weeks will determine whether this episode ends as an isolated scandal—or exposes a deeper crisis of accountability within the IDF’s top legal ranks.
