Yaakov Bardugo Accuses IDF Chief of Hiding Major Secrets Amid Legal Controversy

Yaakov Bardugo sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi over the pension controversy involving dismissed Military Advocate General (MAG) Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi. Speaking on Gali Israel radio with hosts Itamar Fleishman and Guy Busi, Bardugo claimed Tomer-Yerushalmi holds sensitive information about the military system, suggesting a hush money arrangement worth tens of millions of shekels. He accused the military establishment of protecting her instead of defending IDF soldiers, particularly those in Unit 100.

Bardugo questioned what Tomer-Yerushalmi knows about the events of October 7, alleging she provided false affidavits and admitted to serious offenses. Fleishman noted that instead of demoting her, the military ensured she received a large pension, which Bardugo attributed personally to Kochavi. He condemned the Chief of Staff for focusing on her pension amid multiple active fronts against Hamas, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, the Houthis, and the West Bank.

Further, Bardugo alleged that a significant leak about the February 28 operation start date originated from within the defense establishment or the security cabinet. He questioned why this leak remains uninvestigated and implied a conspiracy involving Kochavi to protect Tomer-Yerushalmi. Bardugo concluded that a major secret is being concealed regarding the October 7 events, with the military leadership complicit in the cover-up.