A newly released transcript from a tense closed-door meeting at the Defense Ministry headquarters reveals a sharp confrontation between then–Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, then–IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Brig. Gen. Gal Asael, deputy military advocate general, over the investigation into the leaked video from the Sde Teiman detention facility.
The meeting, which took place in October 2024, came as the Defense Ministry scrambled to determine who was behind the leak of footage showing IDF soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian detainee. Asael had been assigned to oversee the internal investigation.
According to the Channel 13 report that published the transcript, Gallant opened the meeting by demanding answers. “We’re in a situation where I believe we’re about to face additional attacks over this leak,” he said. “The claim is that it came from within the defense establishment.”
Asael maintained that investigators could not yet identify the source. “The team is experienced, independent, and working responsibly,” he said. “Various materials went out—videos, medical documents, reports—but no leaker has been identified so far.”
Gallant pressed on, pointing out that “the videos of the soldiers were out almost immediately after the incidents themselves.” Asael responded that the probe had begun in July and that “the first media reports came out in August.” He noted that both soldiers and civilians had access to the footage, and “dozens of investigative steps” had been taken without any clear findings.
Gallant expressed frustration: “This situation creates a perception that everyone involved is tainted, including the IDF itself. Publicly, the blame is being directed at the prosecution.”
Asael insisted that the process was being closely monitored by the attorney general’s office and the Justice Ministry. “It’s not happening in the shadows,” he said. Gallant replied curtly, “What can I say? I’m not convinced.”
At that point, Halevi interjected, asking, “What is there to be convinced about?” Gallant responded that the investigation “must be more focused—at the end, we should know who were the first people who had access to the video.”
Asael replied, “With caution, I’ll say it’s far more than three or five people. There are many circles involved, and we’re trying to narrow it down.”
When Gallant asked what authority he had in the matter, Asael said that “as long as it’s a criminal investigation, authority rests with the attorney general.” Gallant questioned why this wasn’t under the IDF’s jurisdiction, but Asael explained that “criminal authority in Israel follows the attorney general’s directive. The military advocate general isn’t involved because she’s part of the main case and must remain impartial.”
Halevi backed Asael, saying, “Because the prosecution is a party here, we turned to the attorney general to oversee the process. We were very concerned that if it went to the police or internal affairs, it would spiral out of control.” Asael agreed: “Yes, that would have lost all control.”
Gallant closed the meeting by recalling a past incident. “The last time I was in a situation like this—the Harpaz Affair—they said no one in the General Staff was involved. That turned out not to be true. That’s what my experience tells me.”
Asael has not yet issued a public response. Gallant’s office stated that he had “ordered a swift and thorough investigation immediately after the leak, given the damage it caused to IDF soldiers and to Israel.” They added that “the sentiments and quotes in the report reflect his consistent stance, though we cannot confirm the transcript.”
Associates of former Chief of Staff Halevi said he had no prior knowledge of the leak and had instructed his office to ensure there were “no obstacles to the investigation’s completion.” They added that both Halevi and Gallant “felt misled” as new revelations surfaced in recent days.
{Matzav.com}
“This situation creates a perception that everyone involved is tainted, including the IDF itself.”
Oct 7th is what “tainted” the IDF itself, guys.
This is such an incredibly stupid scenario. Why should anyone in the world or even the nation care about how soldiers treated a high-ranking terrorist, who himself committed barbaric acts and trained others to do so?
Really, he should be dead.
He has no right to complain of mistreatment after he harassed a female officer and then when confronted by the soldiers, he boasted about his most barbaric acts and threatened to do those same acts to the soldiers too.
What incredibly stupid wicked Leftists are running things.