Sledgehammer sovereignty: Zvi Sukkot’s vigilante stunt hurts Israeli security, law – editorial

Religious Zionist MK Zvi Sukkot entered the Palestinian village of Madama near Nablus on Tuesday during an IDF-escorted tour and participated in destroying a monument that appeared to honor members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. The IDF stated that Sukkot's conduct was "deceitful and manipulative," as soldiers were diverted from operational duties for what was presented as a tour, only for Sukkot to act outside the approved plan and destroy the monument without authorization. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called the incident "unacceptable."

• The editorial argues that while Israel has reasons to oppose monuments glorifying terrorists, Sukkot's actions constitute vigilantism, undermining the rule of law and Israeli sovereignty.
• Such actions consume military resources and inflame a volatile region, potentially escalating tensions in the West Bank.
• Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized that while such monuments should be removed, only the IDF should carry out such actions.
• The article concludes that Jewish sovereignty entails the responsibility to act within the law, rejecting lawlessness as an answer to incitement.