IDF escort became cover for Sukkot’s unauthorized demolition of Palestinian monument in West Bank

The Israeli military confirmed that IDF soldiers diverted from standard duties to guard MK Zvi Sukkot during a tour in the West Bank villages, which the military described as a 'memorial tour.' However, the IDF stated that Sukkot acted deceitfully and manipulatively, without authorization, and in complete violation of the approved framework by demolishing a monument in the village of Kafr Madama.

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The IDF stated that the soldiers spoke with their commanders after seeing what was happening and were instructed to intervene and remove the group from the village.

According to the IDF, soldiers present observed Sukkot's actions and, after speaking with their commanders, were instructed to intervene and remove Sukkot and his group from the village. The military views Sukkot's conduct and lack of coordination as serious, characterizing it as an exploitation of security protection to act beyond his authority. The IDF emphasized that it does regularly demolish memorials and symbols of incitement, but only with required approvals and in coordination with the Civil Administration.

MK Zvi Sukkot confirmed he destroyed the monument in Kafr Madama, near Nablus, after footage of the act circulated online. The monument appeared to honor members of the al-Aqsa brigade and Palestinians killed during the intifada. Sukkot stated on X/Twitter that "Every child who sees every day a giant monument that glorifies murderers of Jews will dream of being a terrorist." He claimed his action was a "small taste" after repeatedly appealing to the IDF to remove "terror monuments throughout the area."

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The IDF views the MK's conduct and lack of coordination as serious, and as an exploitation of the protection provided by security forces in order to act in complete excess of his authority.

Footage shared on social media did not show soldiers intervening, and an IDF spokesperson noted that soldiers on such assignments typically do not have photographers, thus lacking visual evidence of their intervention. The military stated that the soldiers were not sent with a photographer for this specific assignment. Sukkot's actions have drawn criticism for allegedly using military escort to carry out an unauthorized demolition.

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