Justice Minister Yariv Levin informed Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Saturday that she has been barred from dealing with any matter related to the Sde Teiman affair.
This includes the investigation into the leaked video, alleged obstruction offenses, and interference with legal proceedings connected to the case, as well as the appointment of an acting or replacement Military Advocate General after the previous one resigned.
In a letter issued by Levin’s office, the justice minister said that Baharav-Miara may be called to testify in the case and raised concerns that she, or others in her office, may have interfered with the investigation. He referred specifically to statements previously submitted to the High Court of Justice that, according to him, may have obstructed justice.
Levin’s letter referenced the state’s submission to the High Court on September 16 which said that after a “comprehensive preliminary review, no further investigative actions are necessary.”
Levin said this claim was contradicted when the source of the controversial video at the center of the case was later identified using basic investigative methods, suggesting that deeper scrutiny was warranted.
Levin bars A-G from Sde Teiman investigation
He also pointed to the state’s response to the High Court dated December 29, 2024, in which it argued that “the timing of the information’s publication” corresponded with a wave of violent riots.
However, Levin contrasted this with a resignation letter submitted by the then-military advocate general on Friday. In that letter, the military official admitted to releasing the material in an effort to counter “false propaganda,” raising questions about how the state could have claimed to know the motive for the leak nearly a year earlier.
According to Levin, the September 2025 filing created the impression that the incident had not harmed state security. He disputed this, describing the consequences as “tremendously damaging.”
He referred to the accusation that the video allegedly showed IDF soldiers sexually assaulting a detainee during wartime. Levin noted that no official assessment - such as one from the Diaspora Affairs Ministry - had been produced to evaluate the potential antisemitic fallout.
The justice minister also addressed the issue of potential conflicts of interest. He criticized the appointment of the deputy military advocate general to lead the inquiry, despite objections raised in the High Court in September 2024. At the time, the state dismissed those objections, stating “there is no basis for such arguments.” Levin argued that the former military advocate general should be subject to independent review, particularly given the high standards the attorney-general’s office applies in similar cases.
Levin said he would begin consultations with the civil service commissioner to appoint an independent official to oversee and guide the investigation, including any potential indictments. Until such an appointment is made, he ordered the attorney-general and her staff to recuse themselves from the case immediately.
He concluded by writing that “the decision is necessary given the severe damage to public trust in the law enforcement system in general and in the proceedings concerning the Sde Teiman affair in particular, and to prevent further harm.”
Separately, following a request by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth to summon the former military advocate general, her deputy Col. Gal Asael, and the chief military prosecutor for a hearing, professional advisers warned against holding the session at this stage. Bismuth sought a written legal opinion and later received one from the committee’s legal adviser, who advised that a hearing should not be held while the investigation is still underway.
Bismuth has yet to make a final decision on the matter, citing the Knesset’s obligation to maintain parliamentary oversight of the defense establishment while respecting legal constraints.