Israel’s top military legal chief, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, arrested amid explosive leak probe, obstruction charges, and missing-phone mystery.
In a stunning turn of events shaking Israel’s defense establishment, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the Military Advocate General (MAG), was arrested early Monday morning alongside the former Chief Military Prosecutor on charges of obstruction of justice and breach of trust — allegations tied to a high-profile classified-leak investigation and the mysterious disappearance of her mobile phone.
According to an Israel Police statement, a special investigative team detained both officials for questioning after uncovering “serious criminal offenses,” including the unauthorized disclosure of classified materials.
“Following inquiries from reporters, we confirm that two key individuals were arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into leaks and other grave misconduct,” police said.
The two are expected to appear Tuesday for a remand hearing at the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, as investigators continue to piece together what could become one of the most consequential internal scandals in IDF legal history.
The arrest follows a dramatic 24-hour saga: on Sunday evening, Tomer-Yerushalmi was reported missing, prompting nationwide concern for her safety. She was later found “safe and sound” after contacting her husband, who immediately alerted police. However, her mobile phone remains missing and believed to be switched off, intensifying speculation about whether it contains evidence of the alleged leaks.
Investigators suspect Tomer-Yerushalmi personally authorized the leak of a video from the Sde Teman base, purportedly showing IDF soldiers assaulting a Hamas terrorist — a clip that ignited public controversy and, critics say, undermined the army’s reputation during wartime.
Legal analysts describe the case as “unprecedented,” noting that Israel’s military justice system — long regarded as a pillar of accountability — now faces a test of transparency and discipline.
“This is not just a criminal investigation; it’s a question of institutional trust,” a senior defense source told Israel National News.
Within the IDF, senior officers privately expressed frustration that classified materials may have been exploited for political or media gain, at a time when soldiers are risking their lives in Gaza. “It’s tragic,” said one officer, “that internal misconduct could stain the courage of those on the front line.”
The incident underscores Israel’s ongoing struggle to balance wartime secrecy with public accountability, even as the nation remains under threat from Hamas and Iran-backed militias.
