Hasbara disaster: Netanyahu labels Sde Teiman video leak as ‘Israel's’ worst PR damage
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- Netanyahu condemned the leaked abuse footage, calling it 'Israel's' most severe public relations setback.
- Eight reservists were charged with abuse, and the Military Advocate General admitted to authorizing the leak to counter a smear campaign.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the leak of footage showing abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility, describing it as the most severe public relations setback in ‘Israel’ history.
He stated that the incident inflicted "enormous image damage" on ‘Israel’, its military, and its soldiers, potentially marking the most intense and concentrated hasbara (public diplomacy) attack since the state's founding, according to Hebrew media,
Netanyahu has called for an "independent and impartial investigation" into the matter.
The Leaked Video
The controversy centers on a video leaked in 2024, depicting several ‘Israeli’ soldiers severely beating and injuring a Palestinian security detainee at Sde Teiman, a facility used to hold Palestinians
Outgoing Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted to authorizing the release of the sensitive footage in her resignation letter, taking full responsibility for the decision.
She explained that the leak was intended to counter a smear campaign against the military prosecution but did not address prior false statements made to the High Court of Justice and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
An internal probe by her office reportedly failed to identify the source of the leak.
The whistleblower, identified as an officer, was detained at the ‘Israeli’ military headquarters in Tel Aviv and questioned by authorities.
She cooperated fully, providing her phone and passcode, and even requested a second interrogation to share additional information.
Eight reservists from Force 100 – a unit responsible for handling high-risk incidents at detention facilities – have been charged with abusing the detainee.
At a press conference, the accused soldiers accused the legal system of betrayal and vowed to fight for justice.
One soldier stated, "We are here to seek justice, not to be famous. The truth is on our side."
