Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Katz Meet to Deliberate on New IDF Military Advocate General

The leadership of the Israel Defense Forces faces a critical decision this week as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz met to discuss candidates for the position of IDF Military Advocate General (MAG) following the dramatic resignation of Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation on Friday came just an hour after Katz reportedly moved to dismiss her over the leak of a sensitive video tied to the Sdei Teiman prisoner abuse case. In a surprising twist, she admitted to approving the release of evidence to the media, writing in her resignation letter, “I take full responsibility for all of the evidence sent out by this unit. Based on this responsibility, I have decided to conclude my role as MAG.”

Her statement instantly altered the legal and political dynamics surrounding the scandal. Initially viewed as a third-party witness, Tomer-Yerushalmi’s admission placed her at the center of the controversy. For several hours following her resignation, she could not be located, prompting fears for her safety, until she was later found alive and physically unharmed.

Two leading replacement candidates have already been ruled out. Col. Gal Asahel, her deputy and once considered the natural successor, may also be questioned in connection to the leak. Critics say his prior decision to clear Tomer-Yerushalmi of wrongdoing raises doubts about his impartiality.

Another potential candidate, former deputy attorney-general Raz Nizri, was floated as an outside choice. Though regarded as legally conservative and respectful of the defense establishment, Nizri told reporters he was not interested in the position. His candidacy also faced political opposition from members of the Otzma Yehudit party, who have long criticized his handling of cases involving right-wing activists.

Meanwhile, the Sdei Teiman affair continues to stir heated debate across Israel. The case centers on allegations that IDF soldiers abused Palestinian detainees during wartime operations. The scandal deepened after leaked footage from the detention facility surfaced, prompting protests by the Force 100 defendants soldiers charged in the case outside the High Court of Justice. Their attorney, Adi Keidar, claimed that the leak proved the entire investigation was “polluted by improper considerations” and called for all charges to be dropped.

The incident has placed Israel’s military justice system under unprecedented scrutiny, balancing national security with moral accountability amid ongoing war conditions. The IDF court has already issued its first sentence in one related case, jailing a reservist for seven months for abuse of Gazan detainees.

As the search for a new Military Advocate General intensifies, Zamir and Katz are said to be seeking a candidate who can restore trust and ensure both integrity and fairness within the IDF legal division. The new appointee will not only inherit a politically charged atmosphere but also the responsibility of navigating one of the most complex military legal crises in recent memory.

Despite the turmoil, Israel’s defense leadership continues to act with resolve, upholding the IDF’s commitment to justice, discipline, and the rule of law even under fire.

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