Israel Police Set to Indict Former IDF Top Lawyer Over Leak of Abuse Video
The investigation determined that former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi can be charged with offenses including the illicit disclosure of official information by a public servant, obstruction of justice, abuse of office, fraud and breach of trust
Former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi leaving prison in November. Credit: Ilan Assayag
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06:08 PM • December 28 2025 IST
Israel Police is expected to indict the IDF's former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, along with her deputy and several other top legal officers, for leaking a video showing Israeli forces abusing a Palestinian prisoner.
Boaz Balat, head of the police's Investigations Division, is expected to present the findings to Police Commissioner Dani Levi this week. The investigation also found sufficient evidence to indict former Deputy Chief Military Advocate General Gal Asael, former Chief Military Prosecutor Matan Solomesh, as well as additional officers in the Military Advocate General's office. The meeting on the matter was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed.
The recently concluded investigation determined that Tomer-Yerushalmi can be charged with offenses including the illicit disclosure of official information by a public servant, obstruction of justice, abuse of office, fraud, and breach of trust.
Former Deputy Chief Military Advocate General Gal Asael in January 2025. Credit: Sraya Diamant
However, the Tomer-Yerushalmi is not expected to face charges regarding the alleged destruction of her mobile phone, as police were unable to rule out the possibility that it was thrown into the sea during a suicide attempt. The maximum penalty for all these offenses is up to three years in prison.
The investigation concerns suspicions that Tomer-Yerushalmi and the other military officials leaked a video showing five guards abusing a Palestinian detainee from Gaza at the Sde Teiman detention center.
The five were charged with aggravated abuse and the infliction of serious harm to the Palestinian. The more serious allegation under investigation is that Tomer-Yerushalmi and the other senior officials covered up the probe into the leak by creating a fictitious inquiry team in the military prosecution, which reported that it had failed in its investigation, while they had actually leaked the video.
Earlier this month, the State Prosecutor informed Israel's High Court of Justice that the investigation was "in its final stages." This announcement was accompanied by an affidavit from Balat, which said that the investigation found no evidence implicating Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, as she was not questioned. The joint statement also noted that, according to the police, once the investigation concludes, a decision will be made regarding who will lead the prosecution and manage the case.
Last week, the High Court rejected Justice Minister Yariv Levin's request to reconsider his nominee to oversee the investigation into the leak of the video.