Global media: Knesset member destroyed Palestinian monument with a hammer
The actions of MK Zvi Sukkot in the village of Madama have received extensive coverage in Europe and the Muslim world. Reports highlight that Israeli soldiers protected the ultra-nationalist parliamentarian as he defaced a monument in the West Bank. The move has drawn criticism within Israel for being carried out without coordination with the army.
News outlets worldwide have been sharing footage of MK Zvi Sukkot smashing monuments, highlighting the inaction of the IDF. While some reports note that the monument commemorated Palestinian terrorists, others omit this detail. The incident follows a diplomatic storm from the previous week, when Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s podcast interview, in which he called for more aggressive action in Gaza, was interpreted internationally as a call to harm innocent civilians.
Germany’s Der Spiegel reported: "Palestinian monument destroyed — sharp criticism of Israeli parliamentarian." The article stated: "An Israeli parliamentarian holds a hammer in a Palestinian village; the opposition accuses the politician of creating new conflicts in the West Bank. The Foreign Minister is also intervening."
The publication quoted Foreign Minister Gideon Saar: "Sukkot, like any other Knesset member, is not the sovereign in the territories of Judea and Samaria. The decision to destroy such monuments should be made exclusively by the state, through the army and security forces. Unfortunately, MK Sukkot deliberately did exactly the opposite."
Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, was seen in video footage being protected by Israeli soldiers. In a post on X, the politician described the act as "a little taste of what is to come."
The German Tagesspiegel also focused on the army's role: "The army feels cheated: Knesset member destroyed a monument to Palestinian dead in the West Bank. Israeli soldiers protected an ultra-nationalist parliamentarian who defaced a monument in a West Bank village." France’s Le Monde featured the story prominently, noting that the incident occurs amid rising tensions in Israel ahead of the October elections and deepening societal divisions.
The IDF condemned the act, describing it as a "misleading and manipulative way" of utilizing military escort. "IDF soldiers assigned to operational missions were diverted from their duties and exposed to unnecessary risks while the army is operating under intense pressure," the statement read.
The incident was also widely covered in the Muslim world. Turkey’s turkiyetoday, Egypt’s Ahram, and Pakistan’s The Express Tribune reported on the destruction of the monument, emphasizing the presence of Israeli soldiers providing security during the tour.
