Israeli MK Tzvi Sukkot Faces Political Backlash After Smashing West Bank Memorial

Israeli Member of Knesset Tzvi Sukkot from the Religious Zionism party sparked a political storm after footage emerged showing him smashing a memorial in the Palestinian village of Adama, south of Nablus, with a hammer. The memorial was reportedly dedicated to militants. The Israeli military condemned Sukkot's actions as "false and manipulative," stating that the demolition was unauthorized and diverted troops from operational duties. The military clarified that the memorial was already scheduled for official demolition in the coming weeks.

The incident drew sharp criticism across the political spectrum. Opposition figures accused Sukkot of endangering soldiers and exploiting the military for political gain. Former Prime Minister and "Beyachad" party leader Naftali Bennett condemned the government for risking Israeli security for election campaign videos, accusing Sukkot and his allies of undermining soldiers’ missions and safety. Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party and former IDF Chief of Staff, called Sukkot's behavior a disgrace and accused him of lying to the military and damaging Israel’s security and international standing.

Within the coalition, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was the first to publicly denounce Sukkot, emphasizing that decisions in the West Bank must be made by the state and security forces alone. Sa’ar wrote on X that Sukkot is not sovereign in the territories and criticized him for deliberately acting against this principle. Other coalition members, including MK Karin Elharrar and chairman of Beit Tzioni-Hamiluimnikim Hili Tropper, also condemned Sukkot for irresponsible political provocation that risks soldiers’ lives and harms the settlement enterprise.

The controversy highlights tensions within Israel’s political and security establishment over actions in the West Bank. Sukkot defended his actions as a firm message against glorifying terrorists in the heart of the West Bank. The military and political leaders stressed the importance of maintaining order and authority through official channels rather than unilateral provocations. The incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about governance and security policy in the territories.