Ex-IDF military advocate general hospitalized after suicide attempt – report

Recently fired MAG Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, under investigation for leaking video of IDF reservists allegedly abusing jailed Hamas terrorist, was rushed to hospital after apparent suicide attempt.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Paramedics rushed to the home of the former military advocate general of the IDF Sunday morning after an apparent suicide attempt, according to Israeli media outlets.

An emergency first responder team from Magen David Adom (MDA) was dispatched to the Ramat HaSharon home of Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi after the MDA call center received a report at 6:50 a.m. that the former MAG felt unwell after taking an overdose of sleeping pills.

Police are investigating whether the incident was accidental or a suicide attempt, though some reports, including by Channel 12‘s Amit Segal, have stated definitively that the former chief legal officer of the Israeli military tried to take her life.

The incident comes just days after Tomer-Yerushalmi was released to house arrest on Friday after a nearly weeklong detention at Neve Tirza Prison.

Last month, Tomer-Yerushalmi was fired after it was revealed that she had leaked surveillance video footage that allegedly showed IDF soldiers abusing a jailed Hamas terrorist.

Shortly afterward, Tomer-Yerushalmi reportedly disappeared, cutting contact with family and friends after leaving behind a note hinting she intended to commit suicide.

She was later found near Tzuk Beach, straddling Tel Aviv and Herzliya, in soaking-wet clothes. She later told police she lost her cellphone in the water.

Police later said the phone allegedly lost at the beach contained evidence linked to the investigation into the leaking of the video.

After being taken to a hospital, Tomer-Yerushalmi was placed under arrested on November 2 on suspicion of disclosure of classified information, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and abuse of office.

A judge extended her arrest on November 5.

Last week, a phone reportedly belonging to Tomer-Yerushalmi was found at Tzuk Beach and handed over to investigators amid suspicions the former MAG staged the beach suicide attempt in the hope of disposing of incriminating evidence on her phone and avoiding prosecution.

On Sunday, Tomer-Yerushalmi was evacuated by ambulance to a local hospital while fully conscious and with no immediate danger to her life. Police then filed a request to impose additional restrictions on the former MAG, including barring her from traveling abroad and temporarily seizing her passport.

MK Avihai Boaron (Likud) blasted the handling of the investigation and the decision to release the former top IDF jurist to house arrest.

“This isn’t criminal negligence,” said Boaron. “The very fact that she was released from custody when it’s clear to any reasonable person that her life is in danger — both from herself and from extremist elements — and that she was released alone into the city streets raises serious concern that someone stands to benefit from her being unable to cooperate and is working to create circumstances that will bring that about.”