Israeli forces launched a sweeping operation Wednesday morning to destroy dozens of monuments and incitement symbols erected over the years glorifying terrorists who carried out deadly attacks and murdered civilians and soldiers. The operation is being led by the Judea and Samaria Division Commander, Brigadier General Kobi Heller, with forces operating deep in ‘Palestinian’ cities and villages, including Shechem, Jenin, Yaabed, and other locations across the region.
Among the monuments destroyed, troops demolished a memorial glorifying terrorists for murdering Jews in central Shechem. They also destroyed a monument to terrorist Yasser al-Hamdouni, who murdered Avner Maimon in 2003, which had been erected in the village of Yaabed near the murder site. The operation is expected to continue and expand in the coming days.
In recent weeks, security forces mapped all terror monuments, and this morning launched the demolition operation. During the operation, soldiers left a notice stating that the IDF will not tolerate incitement to terror, adding that anyone who glorifies or supports terror will be arrested on incitement charges: “Terror has not brought, and will not bring, anything but destruction and ruin, just as Hamas has brought destruction to the Gaza Strip for years.”
The issue came to the forefront following a storm triggered by Knesset member Tzvi Sukkot, who, during a tour in Samaria, began destroying a monument to terrorists in the village of Madama along with other participants. Following the condemnations, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich appealed to Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding the destruction of all remaining terror monuments throughout Judea and Samaria, stating that they must be destroyed by the IDF only.