Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel's Military Advocate General, has resigned under fire after taking responsibility for authorizing the release of a video showing maltreatment of Palestinian detainees. This Jerusalem Post article provides useful background. It is an understatement to say that this is a big deal with serious political and defense implications, especially at a time when the issue of conscription of Haredi men is once again front and center in Israeli politics.
The IDF commented that the MAG's "replacement will be 'one capable of meeting the significant challenges currently facing the MAG Corps, foremost among them the protection of IDF soldiers,'” An ongoing prosecution based on allegations of abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility has been a lightning rod, sparking demonstrations in support of the five accused soldiers. Members of the Knesset as well as family members of the soldiers have also objected to the prosecutions.
Watch this space.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are subject to moderation and must be submitted under your real name. Anonymous comments will not be posted (even though the form seems to permit them).