Ex-IDF Officers and State Officials Sued for $4.8 Million by Elite Unit Soldiers

Three soldiers from the elite Sayeret Matkal (Unit 100) are seeking NIS 18 million (approximately $4.8 million) in damages from former military prosecutors, state legal officials, and a news outlet, alleging a series of wrongs including false accusations, wrongful arrest, invasion of privacy, defamation, and improper indictment. The lawsuit, filed in Jerusalem District Court, builds upon an earlier civil suit against Channel 12 reporter Guy Peleg and the network, but escalates due to the substantial sum and claims.

Named defendants include former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former Chief Military Prosecutor Matan Solomesh, Military Advocate General spokesperson Lior Ayish, the Military Police, the IDF, Guy Peleg, Israel News Company, Guy Gofman, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, State Attorney Amit Issman, Gal Asa'el, Alon Altman, the State Attorney's Office, Israel Police, and the State of Israel. The NIS 18 million claim is itemized with specific amounts for alleged false suspicion of a serious offense (NIS 1.5 million), 15 days of wrongful arrest (NIS 450,000), defamation (NIS 3 million), false indictment (NIS 1 million), and covering up the leak investigation (NIS 500,000), among other damages.

The suit contends that the alleged wrongs began with false suspicions and a publicized arrest, followed by the leaking of investigation materials and a mishandled criminal process, including the investigation into the leak itself. The plaintiffs assert that those responsible for investigating the leak delayed effective action for months, and a subsequent inquiry was insufficient. They also claim misleading representations were made to the High Court regarding the leak and exposure to leaked materials.

According to the lawsuit, senior figures in the prosecution and law enforcement allegedly covered up the leak's perpetrators and provided misleading information to the Supreme Court, causing prolonged suffering from the leak on August 6, 2024, until the indictment was canceled on March 12, 2026. The plaintiffs argue that State Attorney Amit Issman and others failed to order a criminal investigation into the leak for months, instead taking actions that allegedly obstructed the investigation.

Furthermore, the suit criticizes the criminal proceedings, stating that a hearing was held but claims regarding the leak were dismissed, creating a conflict of interest. The subsequent indictment is described as fundamentally flawed, particularly in light of the current Military Advocate General's decision to cancel it after a review that accepted the defense's arguments. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Menashe Yado of Honenu, stated the complex lawsuit targets powerful entities, including former military prosecution command and Channel 12, alleging a conspiracy to harm the soldiers and a cover-up by law enforcement officials that undermines the rule of law and equality.