Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot damages Palestinian memorial with sledgehammer in West Bank

Sledgehammer attack in Madama

Far-right Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot vandalized a Palestinian memorial with a sledgehammer on Tuesday morning in the northern West Bank village of Madama, south of Nablus. Video footage published on social media showed the 35-year-old Knesset member from the Religious Zionism party striking the stone structure alongside several companions. An Israeli soldier was filmed standing guard directly beside Sukkot during the demolition, while additional military personnel and an army vehicle remained stationed nearby. Sukkot and his associates were subsequently taken into custody and escorted out of the village by Israeli forces. Following the incident, Sukkot published a video explaining his rationale for physically dismantling the monument.

A few days ago, I asked the army to act to remove the monuments that commemorate terrorists responsible for attacks against Israelis in the villages of Madama and Burin. Unfortunately, they remained in place. Therefore, I went there myself and took action to remove them.

Military escort and tour approval

The Israel Defense Forces issued a formal statement repudiating Sukkot's actions, stating that the military had been misled regarding the nature of the visit. Sukkot submitted a formal request on 12 August 2026 for an official tour of monuments across the Palestinian localities of Beita, Burin, and Madama. Operational troops were reassigned from regular security duties to provide protection for the delegation. Military authorities stated that the group acted in a deceptive and manipulative manner by beginning the unauthorized demolition in complete violation of the approved itinerary. Once field soldiers realized the group was vandalizing the site, commanders ordered the immediate termination of the escort and removed the visitors from the perimeter.

Memorial dedication and village reaction

Local accounts and Israeli security reports offered differing descriptions of the figures commemorated by the monument. Rami Nassar, head of the Madama village council, stated that the memorial was erected in 2008 in the town center to honor residents killed during the Battle of Karameh on 21 March 1968, as well as those who died in the First and Second Intifadas. Nassar categorized the demolition carried out by the lawmaker as an act of terrorism against community property. Sukkot countered that the site glorified individuals involved in lethal attacks on Israelis, specifically naming Yaman Faraj and Shadi Nasser. Israeli media reported that one named individual was linked to a 2003 attack that killed four people and wounded more than 20 others.

Every child who sees every day a giant monument that glorifies murderers of Jews will dream of becoming a terrorist.

Domestic political fallout

The incident generated criticism across the Israeli political spectrum ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 27 October 2026. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the military remains the sole sovereign authority in the West Bank and criticized unauthorized vigilantism by elected officials.

Taking the law into one's own hands, especially by public figures, is unacceptable and makes it harder for the army to focus on its tasks in the fight against terror.

Opposition figure Gadi Eizenkot criticized the government's handling of coalition members, stating that Netanyahu permits figures like Sukkot to operate without accountability. Center-left opposition leader Yair Golan also condemned the lawmaker's conduct, while the military confirmed that it regularly conducts authorized removals of public incitement symbols through standard command procedures.