Israel's top lawyer resigns after leaking evidence of prisoner gang rape amid right-wing backlash.
In a shocking move, Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel's military attorney general, has tendered her resignation following criticism over leaking footage of a Palestinian prisoner being brutally raped at the Sde Teiman prison facility in August last year. The leaked video showed soldiers surrounding and assaulting the blindfolded detainee, before dragging him along the ground.
Tomer-Yerushalmi claimed that she had resigned due to pressure from right-wing politicians who were directing "false propaganda" against her investigation into the allegations. However, many have accused her of prioritizing protecting her own colleagues over upholding justice for the victim and his family.
The leaked video revealed a horrific scene of abuse, with the prisoner suffering severe injuries including a ruptured bowel, broken ribs, and lung damage. The court has since indicted at least nine soldiers, although five were released relatively quickly.
A United Nations commission has noted that the decision to downgrade the indictment may lead to more lenient punishment for the accused. Meanwhile, several right-wing politicians, including Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been vocal in their criticism of Tomer-Yerushalmi's investigation.
In a bizarre twist, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has suggested that the alleged rapists should be treated as "heroes" rather than villains. The remarks come amid growing concerns about corruption and the politicization of Israel's justice system.
The scandal has sparked outrage among human rights activists and critics of Israeli government policies, with many accusing the politicians of attempting to silence whistleblowers and cover up institutional abuse.
Critics have welcomed Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation but warn that it does not address the underlying issues. The incident highlights a broader pattern of violence against Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities, including reports of torture, sexual abuse, and forced medical experimentation.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering if justice will be served for the victim and his family, or if Israel's powerful politicians will succeed in silencing those who speak out against institutional wrongdoing.
In a shocking move, Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel's military attorney general, has tendered her resignation following criticism over leaking footage of a Palestinian prisoner being brutally raped at the Sde Teiman prison facility in August last year. The leaked video showed soldiers surrounding and assaulting the blindfolded detainee, before dragging him along the ground.
Tomer-Yerushalmi claimed that she had resigned due to pressure from right-wing politicians who were directing "false propaganda" against her investigation into the allegations. However, many have accused her of prioritizing protecting her own colleagues over upholding justice for the victim and his family.
The leaked video revealed a horrific scene of abuse, with the prisoner suffering severe injuries including a ruptured bowel, broken ribs, and lung damage. The court has since indicted at least nine soldiers, although five were released relatively quickly.
A United Nations commission has noted that the decision to downgrade the indictment may lead to more lenient punishment for the accused. Meanwhile, several right-wing politicians, including Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been vocal in their criticism of Tomer-Yerushalmi's investigation.
In a bizarre twist, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has suggested that the alleged rapists should be treated as "heroes" rather than villains. The remarks come amid growing concerns about corruption and the politicization of Israel's justice system.
The scandal has sparked outrage among human rights activists and critics of Israeli government policies, with many accusing the politicians of attempting to silence whistleblowers and cover up institutional abuse.
Critics have welcomed Tomer-Yerushalmi's resignation but warn that it does not address the underlying issues. The incident highlights a broader pattern of violence against Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities, including reports of torture, sexual abuse, and forced medical experimentation.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering if justice will be served for the victim and his family, or if Israel's powerful politicians will succeed in silencing those who speak out against institutional wrongdoing.
... I mean, the fact that Major-General Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned under pressure from right-wing politicians because she was trying to do her job right is just heartbreaking 
. And the part where Finance Minister Smotrich calls out the alleged rapists as "heroes" is literally insane 
. How can you even justify that? The fact that the victim suffered severe injuries and still hasn't gotten justice is just unacceptable 
. I feel so sorry for his family, they're going through this nightmare and it's all because of people who are more concerned with protecting their colleagues than doing what's right 
. It's not just about Tomer-Yerushalmi, it's about the systemic issues that allow this kind of abuse to happen in the first place 
.
and yeah it's all about silencing whistleblowers and protecting their colleagues' butts 
ugh i'm so frustrated by this situation... israeli justice system is basically a joke at this point... what even is going on over there? 
this is such a messy situation... I feel bad for the victim and his family, but at the same time, you can't blame Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi for feeling pressured by her own side... right-wing politicians are known for their strong opinions and sometimes they can be super hurtful to people trying to do the right thing 
. And now Bezalel Smotrich suggesting that the rapists should be treated as heroes? Are you kidding me?! 
That's just gross. I think what we need is a more balanced approach from both sides - acknowledging the severity of the situation, but also working towards solutions rather than tearing each other apart 
.
and honestly its not just this one incident, theres a pattern of abuse and corruption in israel thats been going on for ages 
.
. It's like they're more worried about their own reputations than doing what's right. And the victim, his family... what about them? They deserve justice, not to be silenced or ignored 
.
. We need real change, not just empty apologies and PR spin 
. And if we don't start holding these politicians accountable, nothing will ever change 
.
️. What really gets me is that all these right-wing folks were pressuring her, claiming she was doing 'false propaganda' against them, but it's pretty clear they're trying to cover up some serious wrongdoing. I hope the courts keep pushing back on this and make sure justice is served for the poor guy who went through this