MK Tzvi Sukkot Destroys Terrorist Memorial in Palestinian Village, IDF Condemns Action

MK Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party visited the Palestinian village of Madama near Yitzhar on Tuesday morning and was recorded destroying a memorial dedicated to a terrorist. Sukkot had previously demanded that the IDF remove such memorials, but when they remained, he took matters into his own hands and smashed the monument with a hammer. The IDF strongly criticized Sukkot’s actions, stating that he acted without authorization, in a deceptive and manipulative manner, and contrary to the approved framework.

The memorials in Madama and nearby Burin honor terrorists involved in attacks against Israelis, including one for Yaman Tayeb Ali Faraj, who was linked in a Supreme Court ruling to a deadly attack at the Geha Junction that killed four Israelis and injured over 20. Sukkot argued that commemorating terrorists in areas under Israeli security responsibility is unacceptable and risks glorifying terrorism to younger generations.

Sukkot said his goal was not only to remove physical symbols but to prevent the legitimization of terror and the portrayal of terrorists as role models. He called on the IDF to remove all such memorials in Judea and Samaria, emphasizing that many Israelis have lost their lives due to terrorists from these villages.

In response, the IDF spokesperson said that on August 12, Sukkot requested a tour of memorials in several villages in the Samaria Division, located in Areas A and B. During the authorized tour on Tuesday, Sukkot and his aides destroyed one memorial without coordination, prompting the IDF to stop the action and remove them from the village. The IDF condemned the misuse of military security for unauthorized activities and noted that it regularly removes incitement symbols in coordination with the Civil Administration as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.