IDF Delays MP Tzvi Sukkot's West Bank Memorial Tour Amid Security Concerns

New details have emerged regarding the security-political incident involving Knesset member Tzvi Sukkot's recent visit to the Palestinian village of Madama in the West Bank. According to security sources, Sukkot requested coordination with the IDF weeks ago to conduct a "memorial tour" in the area. However, the IDF initially declined due to ongoing operational activity in the nearby village of Kusra, which is under the jurisdiction of the Samaria Regional Brigade. The military warned that diverting forces for the tour would compromise operations in Kusra.

Sukkot reportedly threatened to proceed alone, accompanied only by Knesset security, raising concerns within the IDF about his safety given the village's location in Area B and the potential for Palestinian attacks without adequate military protection. The IDF then urged him not to conduct the tour independently and promised to arrange a secured visit once the situation in Kusra stabilized. Sukkot agreed, and the tour was eventually coordinated for Wednesday morning.

Separately, the IDF had already planned the demolition of a memorial in Madama, scheduled for September, independent of Sukkot's visit. The Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi, personally approved Sukkot's tour due to its sensitive timing during the election period, despite a recent IDF directive discouraging military involvement in politically charged visits.

Soldiers from the 411 Artillery Battalion assigned to secure Sukkot expressed frustration, describing the event as a waste of time and resources amid ongoing counterterrorism operations. They lamented being caught between violence from both Jewish and Palestinian extremists. Commanders were reportedly shocked when Sukkot and his aides arrived at the memorial carrying hammers from their vehicle, indicating tensions during the visit.