MK Tzvi Sukkot Smashes Palestinian Memorial Despite IDF Objections in West Bank Village

On Tuesday morning, MK Tzvi Sukkot from the Religious Zionism party was filmed destroying a memorial in the Palestinian village of Madama near Nablus. Sukkot, chairman of the Knesset subcommittee on Judea and Samaria affairs, was accompanied and secured by IDF and Border Police forces during the incident. He claimed he had previously demanded the military remove such memorials but they remained intact. The IDF responded sharply, stating the participants acted without authorization, contrary to approved procedures, and manipulated their security detail. They noted that troops were diverted from operational duties to support the event and that Sukkot’s actions were unauthorized.

Sukkot had requested a tour of several villages about a month prior, which was coordinated with the Knesset liaison and the IDF. The tour was scheduled and approved days before. Upon arrival, he saw the memorial and began dismantling it with a hammer. The IDF said they were unaware of his intent to destroy the monument and did not approve such actions. A security source explained that due to recent unrest, including in Kusra, the IDF had advised postponing the tour and suggested documenting the memorials instead. Sukkot disregarded this and proceeded with the tour, which was guarded by military forces. When he started breaking the memorial, the forces intervened and stopped him. The IDF viewed this as an abuse of the security detail.

Sukkot justified his actions by stating that the memorials glorify terrorists responsible for attacks on Israelis, citing specific individuals commemorated there who were involved in deadly assaults. He emphasized the need to prevent the glorification of terrorism and protect Israeli society from such influences. The IDF reiterated that it regularly demolishes inciting memorials with proper authorization and coordination with the Civil Administration, and planned further operations to remove such symbols.

Opposition MK Gilad Kariv criticized the event, highlighting repeated refusals to allow parliamentary oversight visits to Kusra, contrasting this with the security forces’ availability to accompany Sukkot. He referenced warnings from the IDF Central Command about the volatile situation in the West Bank. Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic camp, condemned Sukkot’s actions as incendiary and dangerous, calling for his imprisonment rather than parliamentary participation. Golan accused the current coalition of using conflict as a political tool, advocating instead for responsible leadership and rule of law.