From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Religious Zionism MK filmed trying to saw way into Arab school
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot is seen on video attempting to force his way into a school in the northern Arab town of Tuba-Zangariyye, using a circular saw to cut through a fence after local officials block his entry.
Footage of the incident shows Sukkot, who chairs the Knesset Education Committee, holding the saw and trying to cut the school’s perimeter fence while students are reportedly inside.
לא הספיק לח"כ צבי סוכות להקים סוכה בחווארה ערב הטבח.
גם לא הספיק לו לפרוץ לבסיס צבאי בזמן מלחמה.
אפילו לא הספיק לו לסכן כוחות של צה"ל השבוע לטובת ביקור פוליטי ופופוליסטי בקבר יוסף.
עכשיו יו״ר ועדת החינוך של הכנסת מנסה לפרוץ את השער של בית הספר בטובא-זנגריה עם מסור דיסק.אלה… pic.twitter.com/K3S9uMlcnr
— גלעד קריב (@KarivGilad) June 4, 2026
The Knesset says the far-right lawmaker arrived for a pre-coordinated tour, but local council head Muaid Hayeb says he canceled the tour after concluding it was “a personal, political, racist visit serving [Sukkot’s] own interests, and not a professional visit,” according to a Haaretz news report.
“[Sukkot] knew the visit was canceled and arrived anyway,” Hayeb says, accusing the MK of exploiting the school for political purposes.
The lawmaker had previously alleged, without providing evidence, that students at the school were being taught “violence, crime and bullying.”
Responding to the incident, Sukkot defends his actions, arguing that no part of Israel should be off-limits to elected officials.
Opposition lawmakers condemn the incident as a cynical pre-election stunt.
Democrats MK Gilad Kariv says Sukkot’s conduct reflects “the insane and dangerous coalition that governs us,” accusing coalition members of seeking to “ignite a fire within Israel before the elections.”
Hadash MK Ofer Cassif calls Sukkot a “serial intruder” and says he “belongs in prison.”
The incident is the latest in a series of controversial acts by Sukkot.
Yesterday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir slammed the lawmaker’s “political” visit to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus for diverting military resources during wartime.
Sukkot also took part in the July 2024 break-in at the IDF’s Sde Teiman base, where a mob demanded the release of soldiers suspected of abusing a Palestinian detainee.
The Times of Israel Community.