Far‑Right Israeli MP Brings Sledgehammer to Palestinian Memorial
A harrowing incident in the occupied West Bank captured on video showed Israel’s far‑right Knesset member, Zvi Sukkot, striking a stone memorial with a sledgehammer while under military escort in the Palestinian village of Madama.
Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party, had previously engaged in provocative stances against Palestinian sites. In the footage, he declared, “This is something we cannot leave standing here, because any place that glorifies terrorism, we must remove it.” His comments ignited immediate outrage among Palestinian villagers and leaders.
Rami Nasar, head of Madama’s village council, explained the memorial’s significance: built in 2008, it commemorates Palestinians killed during the Battle of Karameh and those lost in the first and second Intifadas. “It was intended to honour anyone who had been killed in conflict with Israel, regardless of political affiliation,” Nasar said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that their soldiers were present and had attempted to restrain Sukkot and his associates, labeling the act “deceptive and without authorization.” Soldiers escorted Sukkot’s group out of Madama after reporting the incident to their commanders. IDF officials warned that unchecked settler violence could trigger a broader escalation in the region.
Political leaders also weighed in. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office condemned the act, describing it as “reprehensible” and a distraction from combating terrorism. Gadi Eisenkot called the behavior a “disgrace” for any leader, insisting that it endangers Israel’s standing. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded by accusing left‑wing critics of redirecting focus from terrorism itself.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of settler‑led violence in the West Bank, where recent months have seen a surge in attacks on Palestinian communities. Local and international observers warn that such acts not only erode cultural heritage but also aggravate long‑standing grievances toward occupied peoples.
The West Bank sits at a fragile juncture where acts of vandalism risk turning wounds into wider conflict. The global community calls for robust protection of remembrance sites and a commitment to non‑violence in the pursuit of lasting peace.
