MK's Vandalism of Palestinian Memorial Sparks Debate on Israeli Empathy
Member of Knesset Zvi Sukkot recently drew widespread condemnation for vandalizing a memorial in the Palestinian village of Madama, south of Nablus. The incident has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with even the IDF distancing itself from the use of soldiers to secure what it deemed a media provocation. The act raises questions about the normalization of destroying memorial sites as a political tactic and the blatant disrespect for the memory of another people.
To provide context, the article recalls an event from 1967. After Israel captured East Jerusalem, Palestinian residents began erecting monuments to fallen Jordanian Legion soldiers. Israeli officials, concerned about potential unrest, initially considered destroying them. However, then-Deputy Mayor Meron Benvenisti negotiated a compromise with the Muslim Waqf, agreeing to the construction of four carefully designed memorials in East Jerusalem. Although public outcry led to the cancellation of the agreement after the first monument was built near the Old City walls, the existing memorial was preserved and became a significant Palestinian heritage site.
The decision to preserve the 1967 Jerusalem memorial, unlike Sukkot's actions, is presented not as a sign of weakness or fear of international condemnation, but as an act of empathy stemming from a position of strength. Those who approved its preservation had themselves experienced combat and loss, and recognized the shared human experience of mourning. This willingness to allow the 'enemy' to honor their dead reflected a secure society that did not fear acknowledging the other's narrative of loss.
The article contrasts this with contemporary Israeli society, which it describes as having become fearful and insecure, with leaders perpetuating division and fear. Sukkot's provocations, including a previous incident where he destroyed a sign at an East Jerusalem school, are seen as attempts to project strength but ultimately reveal a fearful, nihilistic worldview. The piece concludes by noting that such actions, alongside settler incursions into Palestinian villages and property destruction often occurring under IDF protection, highlight a regression from the empathy shown in 1967, leaving the question of how much more destruction will occur before this trend reverses.
