Netanyahu Condemns MK Sukkot’s Actions: “Taking the Law into One’s Own Hands Is Unacceptable”
MK Zvi Sukkot began smashing a memorial with a hammer in the Palestinian village of Madama, claiming that it glorified terrorists. The Israel Defense Forces halted the dismantling of the memorial, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that public figures may not take the law into their own hands.
Key facts
- •Participant: MK Zvi Sukkot
- •Location: the village of Madama, south of Nablus
- •Authorities: the Israel Defense Forces and the Civil Administration
- •Timing of the incident: Tuesday; the calendar date is not stated in the body of the text
- •No case number or court
- •No specific statute or section was mentioned
What Happened
According to Ynet, about a month before the incident, Sukkot requested permission to tour Palestinian villages. During his visit to Madama, he saw a memorial and began smashing it with a hammer. The MK claimed that he had previously asked the military to remove memorials in Madama and Burin, but his request was not granted.
The Israel Defense Forces’ Position
The military said that the participants acted without authorization and contrary to the plan that had been coordinated. Soldiers stopped the demolition and removed them from the village. According to Israel Defense Forces assessments, following the incident, the military was forced to divert forces from operational duties and expose them to unnecessary danger.
Who Is Authorized to Carry Out the Dismantling
The Israel Defense Forces said that it regularly dismantles memorials and inflammatory symbols after obtaining the required permits and in coordination with the Civil Administration. Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces implements the political echelon’s decisions in Judea and Samaria, and that independent actions, especially by public figures, are unacceptable. Minister Gideon Sa’ar also noted that decisions must be made and implemented by the state, the military, and the security forces.
Reactions Within the Coalition
Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich supported the idea of removing the memorial but stressed that only the Israel Defense Forces should do so. Ohad Tal, Sukkot’s fellow party member, criticized the MK’s actions in an internal party group. The source does not report that Sukkot was arrested, that a case was opened, or that a court issued a ruling.
What this means for you
Even if the site is considered a symbol of support for terrorism or incitement, a private individual or an MK may not demolish it independently. The report makes clear that such actions must be carried out by authorized state bodies after the required permits have been obtained. The article describes a political and military response, not a legal precedent.
Find a lawyer for this topic
- Lawyers: Уголовное право
- Lawyers in Тель-Авив
- Lawyers in Иерусалим
- Lawyers in Хайфа
- Lawyers in Ришон ле-Цион