Far-right Israeli lawmaker damages Palestinian memorial with sledgehammer
Zvi Sukkot's actions have drawn widespread condemnation, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli far-right lawmaker Zvi Sukkot damaged a Palestinian memorial in the occupied West Bank with a sledgehammer, drawing strong criticism. Footage showed Sukkot and others striking the stone monument in the village of Madama. Sukkot, member of the Religious Zionism party, claimed the memorial glorified terrorism and should be removed.
The memorial, erected in 2008, honored Palestinians killed during various conflicts with Israel. Sukkot, who has a history of provocative anti-Palestinian acts, was accompanied by military escort. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provided security during the incident, but Sukkot and others acted deceptively and without authorization.
Sukkot and others have faced significant criticism from Palestinians, other Israelis, and political figures. Netanyahu's office condemned Sukkot's actions, emphasizing the illegality of taking the law into one's own hands. Meanwhile, Sukkot's political party head criticized the opposition for condemning Sukkot instead of terrorism.
Meanwhile, the IDF's top military officer in the West Bank warned that the rising settler violence could lead to a major escalation.
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