🔨 IDF CONDEMNS SUKKOT OVER UNAUTHORIZED DAMAGE TO TERROR MEMORIAL: Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot and several aides were filmed damaging a Palestinian “martyrs” memorial in Madama, south of Shechem, during an IDF-secured visit Tuesday morning. Footage shows soldiers nearby as Sukkot and others used sledgehammers against the monument.
The IDF said the visit itself had been approved, but the demolition had not. Sukkot submitted an August 12 request for a “tour of monuments” in Beita, Burin and Madama, villages in Areas A and B of Judea and Samaria.
According to the military, Sukkot and his aides acted “deceptively and manipulatively, without authority and in complete violation of the approved outline” when they began demolishing the Madama memorial. Soldiers contacted their commanders, who ordered the activity stopped and the participants removed from the village.
The IDF said troops assigned to operational missions were diverted to secure the visit and were “unnecessarily” placed at risk while the military is under significant operational strain. It described Sukkot’s conduct as a serious exploitation of the security escort and an overstepping of authority.
The military stressed that it regularly removes monuments and symbols of incitement following the required approvals and coordination with the Civil Administration. IDF officials said: “We recently conducted a preliminary survey of the monument in preparation for its thorough demolition. It was supposed to take place in the coming weeks.”
According to Israel Hayom, the memorial commemorated Yaman Tayeb Ali Faraj, a senior PFLP terrorist involved in directing and planning attacks, including the December 2003 suicide bombing at Geha Junction that killed four Israelis and wounded more than 20.
Sukkot said he had previously demanded that the IDF remove monuments glorifying terrorists in Madama and Burin and decided to act himself after they remained standing. He said: “It’s time to demolish all the terror monuments in the area and put an end to education for terrorism.”
Amit Segal questioned why the IDF had not demolished the memorial itself. Elhanan Gruner said he reported it to the IDF in early July after popsicles were distributed to village children there in memory of Faraj, whom he described as having orchestrated bombing and shooting attacks.
Gruner said: “The division commander promised he would take care of it. Later, the IDF Spokesperson claimed they couldn’t find it. In practice, they didn’t bother to look for it or ask the forces on the ground (I know this for a fact). The forces on the ground found it and are begging for authorization to demolish it.”
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