Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed he personally dismissed Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, accusing her of betraying IDF soldiers and leaking sensitive footage to smear them.
In a decisive and fiery move underscoring Israel’s zero-tolerance stance toward internal betrayal, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Friday that he had personally dismissed Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi — not merely suspended her — after evidence linked her to the unauthorized leak of classified footage from the Sde Teiman detention base.
“This morning, I announced the dismissal of Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi from her position. I did not settle for placing her on leave,” Katz declared.
“All necessary sanctions will be taken against her, beginning with the revocation of her rank. Anyone who slanders IDF soldiers and prioritizes the interests of Nukhba terrorists over theirs is unfit to wear the IDF uniform — and belongs in prison.”
Katz’s statement came hours after Tomer-Yerushalmi tendered her resignation to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, admitting partial responsibility for leaking material “to repel false accusations” against the IDF’s law-enforcement system.
The scandal erupted after a video from Sde Teiman appeared in the media, purportedly showing soldiers from the elite Force 100 prison intervention unit allegedly abusing a Hamas detainee. The clip, widely circulated by anti-Israel outlets, has been denounced as misleading and potentially doctored — part of what officials describe as a coordinated smear campaign against IDF personnel operating under wartime duress.
Investigative findings presented to the defense establishment show that Tomer-Yerushalmi was informed hours before publication of the video and had authorized the material’s release to select journalists. The disclosure prompted a criminal probe by military police and an immediate suspension earlier this week.
Former IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari publicly distanced himself from the affair:
“I have no connection to the leak of the video from Sde Teiman. I was unaware of any intention to release it and certainly did not approve it,” Hagari stated. “This is a serious incident that must be thoroughly investigated to uncover the full truth.”
The affair has ignited outrage among soldiers and reservists, many of whom view the leak as a betrayal from within, weaponizing internal information to appease international critics.
For Minister Katz, the message could not be clearer:
Israel will defend its soldiers — not prosecute them to satisfy Hamas propaganda.
