Former High-Ranking Military Lawyer Arrested Amid Growing Controversy Over Leaked Video
As the controversy surrounding a leaked video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee by soldiers intensifies, a former high-ranking lawyer in the military has been taken into custody.
The lawyer, previously the highest legal authority in the military, resigned last week, accepting full responsibility for the video leak. Days later, she was reported missing, leading to an extensive search for her along a northern beach. She was eventually found unharmed and subsequently arrested.
The Leaked Video and Its Fallout
The leaked video, which first surfaced in August, has sparked public outcry. It allegedly shows reserve soldiers at a southern military base singling out a detainee. The soldiers then reportedly use riot shields to obstruct visibility while the detainee is beaten and assaulted with a sharp object.
Following the incident, the detainee received medical treatment for severe injuries. Five reservists have since faced charges of aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm. They have denied the allegations and have not been publicly identified.
Appearing outside the Supreme Court with their lawyers, four of the reservists concealed their identities with black masks. Their legal representation called for the dismissal of the trial, stating that their clients were victims of a biased and baseless legal process.
Investigation and Resignation
A criminal investigation into the video leak was initiated last week. During this time, the former top lawyer was put on administrative leave. The Defence Minister announced shortly after that she would not be reinstated to her role. Following this, the lawyer resigned from her position.
In her resignation letter, she assumed full responsibility for any material that was distributed to the media from her unit. She defended the release of the video as an attempt to counteract false propaganda against the military's law enforcement authorities. This was likely a response to claims by certain political figures that the allegations of abuse had been contrived.
The lawyer stressed the importance of conducting investigations whenever there are reasonable suspicions of violence against detainees. However, her actions were met with strong criticism from the Defence Minister, who stated that anyone spreading such damaging narratives about the military troops is unfit to wear the uniform.
Political Scandal Escalates
The controversy took an alarming turn when reports of the lawyer's disappearance began to surface. This sparked widespread concern that the political scandal had veered towards tragedy. An extensive search was launched, and several hours later, she was found safe and in good health in a coastal area.
Later, a spokesperson for the police announced the arrest of two individuals suspected of leaking and other serious criminal offenses. The individuals arrested were the former top lawyer and the ex-chief military prosecutor.
Public Opinion Divided
The incident has proven to be a flashpoint for political division. Those on the political right view the video leak as a defamation of the military, bordering on treasonous behavior. There was even a show of support for the reservists involved in the incident, including from several legislators.
Conversely, those on the left see the lawyer's decision to release the footage as a fulfillment of her duty. They believe the video provides tangible evidence supporting numerous reports of abuse of Palestinian detainees since the attacks on the country in October 2023.
A UN commission of inquiry reported last October that thousands of child and adult detainees from Gaza had been subjected to widespread and systematic abuse, physical and psychological violence, and sexual and gender-based violence. However, the government has denied these accusations and maintains that it adheres to international legal standards.