IDF condemns MK Sukkot's 'deceitful' request for military escort to destroy West Bank monument

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.

The IDF on Tuesday confirmed it diverted troops from standard operational duties to guard MK Zvi Sukkot (Religious Zionist Party) on what he called a 'memorial tour' in several villages in Areas A and B in the West Bank.

However, the military claimed Sukkot acted "deceitfully and manipulatively, without authority and in complete violation of the approved framework, and began demolishing one of the memorials in the village of Madama.” 

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.

“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,” the military added, while emphasizing that the IDF does regularly demolish memorials and symbols of incitement with required approvals and in coordination with the Civil Administration.

The footage shared did not show soldiers intervening.

A spokesperson for the IDF told The Jerusalem Post that the soldiers had not been sent with a photographer, as these assignments typically don't require one, and therefore were unable to provide footage of the soldiers intervening.

Sukkot confirms destruction of Madama monument 

Sukkot confirmed he had destroyed a monument in Kafr Madama near Nablus, after footage circulated on social media and was shared by Israeli outlets on Tuesday morning. 

The monument appeared to be in honor of members of the al-Aqsa brigade and Palestinians killed in the intifada.

"Every child who sees every day a giant monument that glorifies murderers of Jews will dream of being a terrorist," Sukkot said in a post to X/Twitter.

He claimed that he had taken action after appealing to the IDF several times to remove the "terror monuments throughout the area," and that destroying the monument in the village was"a small taste."