Hamas operative from east Jerusalem threatens MK Zvi Sukkot: 'I have a weapon, I will kill you'

A Hamas operative from East Jerusalem has threatened the life of Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot, sending him private Facebook messages containing images of a firearm and ammunition. The operative, identified as 25-year-old Tarzan Hammad, wrote, "I always have a weapon, I travel without security checks, I will kill you when I see you."

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I always have a weapon, I travel without security checks, I will kill you when I see you.

The threats followed Sukkot's tour of Arab schools in the area in his capacity as chairman of the Knesset Education Committee. Sukkot stated that he received additional threatening messages, including a photo of a handgun, but asserted that such threats would not deter him from his work. "If anyone thinks I will stop overseeing what is happening in the sector because of threats, they are seriously mistaken," Sukkot said.

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They sent me messages with a picture of a handgun and wrote that they were on their way to kill me. If anyone thinks I will stop overseeing what is happening in the sector because of threats, they are seriously mistaken.

In response to the severity of the threats, the Knesset and Israel Police have raised Sukkot's threat level to level 4. His security detail has been increased, and protective measures have been tightened after a security assessment. Security officials are continuing their investigation to identify the source of the messages and apprehend those responsible. Those close to Sukkot described the messages as a significant escalation in threat severity, which security officials are treating with utmost seriousness.

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The violence and crime, together with the stockpiles of illegal weapons in the Arab sector, are an existential threat to the entire State of Israel. The threats only encourage me to continue doing my job and fighting the phenomenon.