Political Situation in Israel

Analysis: The Right is Trying to Create Fear Ahead of the Election

Mistreatment in prisons, war crimes in Gaza and extreme statements by ministers. These are the real reasons why Israel's international reputation is tarnished, writes Haaretz's Amos Harel in an analysis of the leaked video that has created a political crisis in the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to make it appear that it is the leak itself that is damaging Israel's reputation, not the abuses against Palestinian prisoners that the video is evidence of, notes Harel.

"Netanyahu's government is exploiting the serious allegations against the Israeli military prosecutor to attack the rule of law and erase the army's abuses. At the same time, they are trying to cover up the failures of October 7 and influence Netanyahu's criminal trial."

The purpose of the high-pitched tone, Harel believes, is to intimidate the judiciary and the opposition ahead of next year's Knesset elections.

In an analysis for the BBC, Sebastian Usher writes that the leak highlights the divide between the right and the left in Israel.

"On the right, the leak of the video is condemned as a smear of the Israeli military, almost a betrayal. [...] On the left, General Tomer-Yerushalmi's decision to allow the material to be released is seen as the only time she truly lived up to her responsibilities in the service."

The video leak in Israel — the case is relevant

• Israel's chief military prosecutor, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, was arrested after a video was leaked showing the abuse of a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman military base.
•  Tomer-Yerushalmi has claimed responsibility for the leak and has been detained on suspicion of fraud, obstruction of justice and abuse of power.
• She was reported missing on Sunday, leading to fears that she had taken her own life, but was found.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the leak has caused “immeasurable damage” to Israel.
• Police suspect that Tomer-Yerushalmi threw her cellphone into the sea to destroy evidence.
• Tomer-Yerushalmi herself has said that the intention of releasing the video was to “disprove false propaganda.”