An environmental advocacy group formally demanded on Wednesday that detained former military advocate general Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi retrieve her cellphone from the Mediterranean Sea, claiming the discarded device poses a serious environmental hazard.
The Green Israel Forum, a right-leaning NGO, sent a public petition to Tomer-Yerushalmi, urging her to recover the phone, which was allegedly thrown into the sea earlier this week. The iPhone, which is suspected to contain critical evidence in an ongoing police investigation, is believed to have been tossed near Tel Aviv's Cliff Beach.
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Former military advocate general Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi
(Photo: Shalev Shalom)
Citing media and police reports, the group accused Tomer-Yerushalmi of illegally dumping the phone and its lithium battery, classified as hazardous waste, into the sea, in violation of the 1984 Maintenance of Cleanliness Law. The organization said the act could cause "immediate environmental risk, harm to marine and coastal ecosystems and damage to public health."
The letter, issued under the NGO’s authority as a recognized public petitioner, demanded that Tomer-Yerushalmi retrieve the device and ensure the battery’s integrity, warning that such waste must not remain in the marine environment. It also called on her to pledge not to engage in similar behavior in the future.
“This is a serious environmental offense,” the letter stated, adding that electronic waste like smartphones and batteries must be disposed of properly to prevent pollution. The Maintenance of Cleanliness Law prohibits the dumping of waste in unauthorized areas and includes criminal penalties for those who violate it.
The group’s director, Erez Kalif, told Ynet that the incident reflects a broader issue of disrespect toward environmental norms. “This wasn’t just an attempt to destroy evidence,” Kalif said. “Assuming she did throw electronic waste into the sea, it’s unacceptable behavior from someone tasked with upholding the law.”
Kalif acknowledged that the letter also aimed to raise public awareness about the dangers of electronic waste and its improper disposal. “This is the first time we've addressed someone accused of discarding an electronic device,” he said. “While this case drew attention, we work 365 days a year to address these issues, with or without the headlines.”
Police have been searching for the missing phone in connection to an ongoing investigation involving Tomer-Yerushalmi. Authorities suspect the phone may have been deliberately destroyed, potentially to hide sensitive information. She remains in custody as the probe continues.