Wall Street Journal Recycles False Allegations Against IDF Using Leaked Video by Former Military Advocate
The Wall Street Journal has published a major article reiterating false claims against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), relying heavily on a leaked video of alleged prisoner abuse provided by former military advocate Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi. The article, released overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, repeats the narrative that Palestinian detainees have been subjected to sexual, physical, and psychological abuse since October 7. The newspaper contacted Tomer-Yerushalmi for comment but her legal team declined to respond.
The article bases its claims on interviews with members of Physicians for Human Rights, recent rulings by the Israeli Supreme Court regarding Red Cross visits, and a speech by President Isaac Herzog condemning normalized violence within parts of Israeli society. It features an interview with Muhammad Mardawi, a Palestinian prisoner since 1999, who describes alleged sexual abuse in Israeli detention centers in terms closely matching the leaked video Tomer-Yerushalmi released to Israeli media outlet N12.
The Wall Street Journal also cites several Supreme Court decisions, including one from last year that found Israel failed to meet basic needs of Palestinian detainees, and another ruling that restrictions on Red Cross visits violate both Israeli and international law. To explain harsher detention conditions, the article references a 2025 survey by the Israeli Democracy Institute showing that about 61% of Jewish Israelis oppose investigating soldiers accused of abusing Gaza detainees.
The controversy began in August 2024 with the release of security footage from the Shdeim Yemen detention facility allegedly showing reserve soldiers abusing a Palestinian prisoner. This sparked an unprecedented public and international outcry and fueled a global campaign against Israel. In October 2025, following suspicions of judicial misconduct, Israeli police and prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into the leak’s source.
This investigation led to a dramatic upheaval in the IDF: Tomer-Yerushalmi was placed on leave and resigned on October 31, 2025, admitting she authorized the leak to counter what she called "false propaganda." In early November 2025, she was detained for questioning on multiple charges including fraud, breach of trust, abuse of power, leaking classified information, and obstruction of justice. Former Chief Military Prosecutor Colonel Matan Solmesh was also arrested. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s detention involved a personal crisis including a suicide note and hospitalization. In May 2026, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir officially dismissed her from military service, while criminal proceedings continue against her and others in the military prosecution.
The Wall Street Journal’s article thus revives a contentious and politically charged narrative based on disputed evidence and ongoing legal cases, contributing to a sustained wave of international criticism against Israel.
