**Far-Right Israeli MP Destroys Palestinian Memorial Under IDF Escort**
On Tuesday, Zvi Sukkot, a far-right member of the Israeli Knesset from the ultranationalist Religious Zionist party, vandalized a memorial dedicated to Palestinians who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Israel. This incident took place in the West Bank village of Madama and was conducted under the escort of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from various political figures and organizations within Israel.
Sukkot, who is affiliated with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s party, stated that his intention was to remove what he described as a monument that “glorified murderers of Jews.” Video footage circulating on social media shows Sukkot and another individual using sledgehammers to destroy the memorial while an armed Israeli soldier stands by, observing the act.
In the aftermath of the incident, images captured by an RT correspondent revealed significant damage to the memorial, with tiles around its stone base visibly broken. The IDF later issued a statement indicating that while Sukkot had received permission for a military-escorted “tour of monuments” in the West Bank, he acted without proper authorization to damage the memorial.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded to the incident by asserting that “taking the law into one’s own hands, particularly by public figures, is unacceptable.” Although the statement did not specifically name Sukkot, it highlighted the government's stance against such actions.
Criticism of Sukkot's actions extended beyond the Prime Minister's office. Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's primary political rival and a former military chief, labeled the act a “disgrace.” He accused Sukkot of misleading the IDF and its commanders, claiming that his actions not only jeopardized security but also tarnished the reputation of Israel as a whole.
Sukkot's Religious Zionist party has been a prominent advocate for increased settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, a move that is widely regarded as illegal under international law by the United Nations and much of the global community. Recently, the Israeli government announced plans to construct over 1,200 new homes in the West Bank, a project that critics argue could effectively divide the region if completed.
The increase in settlement activity has been accompanied by a rise in violence against Palestinians. According to a report from the UN, there were approximately 190 recorded attacks against Palestinians in the first four months of this year alone.
Internationally, the settlement expansion has faced significant backlash. Leaders from more than a dozen European countries issued a joint statement last week condemning the Israeli government's actions as “unacceptable.” Furthermore, Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has called on Israel to halt its “creeping expansion” into occupied Palestinian territories and to take steps to mitigate settler violence. Nebenzia emphasized that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict hinges on the implementation of a two-state solution.
The events surrounding Sukkot's vandalism of the memorial have reignited discussions about the ongoing tensions in the region and the broader implications of Israeli settlement policies. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful of developments that could impact peace efforts and the lives of those affected by the conflict.