A Tel Aviv court on Wednesday extended the detention of former Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. (res.) Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi by three days, until Friday, saying there is a “risk of obstruction” and “reasonable suspicion she committed the alleged offenses.” Tomer-Yerushalmi appeared at the hearing via Zoom, with the court’s approval, citing her condition “in light of recent events,” according to her attorneys’ request.
Judge Sheli Kotin granted the police request to extend her detention, while ordering that former Chief Military Prosecutor Col. (res.) Matan Solomash be released to house arrest later Wednesday at 10 p.m. under strict conditions, including a 10,000-shekel bond, a ban on contacting others involved in the case, and full home confinement until Monday, Nov. 10.
At the hearing, a police representative said that since the first extension, “the investigative team has been working around the clock, conducting dozens of actions and taking statements, and the suspicion against the suspect has significantly strengthened.” He revealed that during a court-approved search of Tomer-Yerushalmi’s home, police seized an Apple Watch and that she provided the password to unlock it.
Police also found three notebooks in which Tomer-Yerushalmi had summarized conversations with her lawyers, as well as torn pieces of a letter. Her defense attorney, Dori Klagsbald, argued that the materials should be returned or sealed due to attorney-client privilege. Police said the documents were placed in a sealed envelope and submitted to the court. The judge ruled that “no use or review of the material in the envelope shall be made unless a suitable request is submitted to the court.”
Klagsbald criticized how the case has been handled, saying the investigation was being conducted “in an atmosphere of hysteria.” He compared the public attention to “a Hanoch Levin play,” referring to the search for her missing cellphone and the heavy media coverage.
Earlier in the probe, the staffer who exposed the case was confronted with Solomash and accused him of involvement in the leak, according to law enforcement sources. Solomash reportedly said he learned about the leak only afterward. Police said the confrontation took place at a Defense Ministry facility, where investigators are working to maintain confidentiality.
At Wednesday’s hearing, police representatives said Solomash had been “aware and approving” of the release of footage showing reserve soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman, even if he was not part of the WhatsApp group through which the videos were shared. They alleged that “the young prosecutor transferred the footage to the Military Advocate General’s office with Solomash’s approval,” and that both senior officers — Tomer-Yerushalmi and Solomash — were present when the videos were cleared for release.
However, Solomash’s attorney, Nati Simhoni, argued that his client “was in the room but not part of the discussion” and that it was Tomer-Yerushalmi who authorized the transmission. The judge concluded that “the case file shows the suspect took no action to obstruct the investigation,” clearing the way for his conditional release to house arrest.
Investigators continue to search for Tomer-Yerushalmi’s missing cellphone, which police suspect she threw into the sea Sunday while she was unaccounted for. They say the device may contain key evidence related to the alleged leak. The investigation is being led by a deputy superintendent seconded from the Defense Ministry’s security directorate to a special investigative team, which reportedly has evidence that Tomer-Yerushalmi repeatedly asked about her polygraph results.
Tomer-Yerushalmi is being held in isolation at Neve Tirtza Women's Prison on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and providing information by a public employee.
Law enforcement officials said the seized smartwatch could provide valuable data — such as location, communications, and activity logs — that may help reconstruct events relevant to the case.
First published: 08:01, 11.05.25