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Photos: Published by Haaretz
Religious Zionism lawmaker Tzvi Succot, in the Knesset, December. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi.

The northern Israeli Arab town Tuba Zangaria, in 2018. Credit: Gil Eliyahu.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Council (right) and MK Tzvi Succot (center) at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus on Sunday. Credit: Courtesy of the Facebook of Tzvi Succot
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According to the Knesset spokesperson, Succot arrived for a pre-arranged tour of a local council but was blocked from entering classrooms. His office said students were present. Succot said there is 'no extraterritoriality in Israel' and vowed to cut funding to schools he said 'educate for crime'

by Noa Shpigel for Haaretz
07:38 PM • June 04 2026 IDT

Far-right lawmaker Tzvi Succot was filmed on Thursday attempting to break into a school in the northern Israeli Arab town of Tuba Zangaria during the school day, using a disc saw to cut through the school fence.

In footage from the scene, Succot, of the Religious Zionism party, is seen holding a circular saw and attempting to cut through the school's perimeter fence.

Succot's spokesperson confirmed that he attempted to break into the school and said students were present at the time of the incident.

The Knesset Spokesperson said Succot, who chairs the Knesset Education Committee, arrived for a pre-arranged tour of the local council. However, it said the council head and residents prevented entry to classrooms, and the school gates remained locked.

Following the incident, Succot said: "There is no extraterritoriality in Israel. We came to see how they educate here in the schools, and unfortunately, we discovered education for violence, crime, and bullying. We will act to stop all funding for schools that educate for crime."

The head of the Tuba Zangaria council, Mouaid Haib, said that Succot shared a video last month threatening to visit a school in the community because "crime" is taught there, and had informed the lawmaker and relevant authorities that his visit was canceled after he became convinced that "this was a personal, political, racist visit" of Succot, which serves his interests and not a professional visit.

"He knew the visit was canceled," Haib said. "Today, he came alone. The Knesset Education Committee consists of 15 members. Fourteen members were absent because they did not believe in the professionalism of the visit."

The municipal head said Succot arrived accompanied by "police, army and Shin Bet forces."

"I will not let Tzvi Succot lead and exploit our schools for his extremist, racist ideology. I locked the gates, I prevented him from entering the school gates, of course, with the full support of the parents, the students, the men and women of the village." According to him, "Succot stood outside the gate like a rabbit for three hours until he folded up and left."

A resident of the village called Succot "a disturbed child and a hilltop youth." According to him, "He tried to provoke with one goal: to make a fool of us as part of his election campaign. Next time, he will do some homework and learn that the residents of the village of Tuba Zangaria have always been and will remain loyal to the state."

MK Ofer Cassif condemned Succot, saying he had previously been involved in break-ins, including at Sde Teiman and a West Bank school, and at a protest event against what he called "institutional transfer," and said "this intruder and his partners belong in jail."

In 2024, Succot, along with other protesters, stormed into the base and demanded the release of IDF reservists detained on suspicion of abusing a Palestinian detainee.

Succot has also previously sought to ban Haaretz articles from high school final exams and called for shooting Palestinians who set fire to waste and cause widespread air pollution.

MK Gilad Kariv also criticized Succot, calling the coalition "a burning barns coalition" and warning it would do everything to spark a third intifada in the territories and ignite violence inside Israel ahead of elections.

On Wednesday, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced that due to Succot's visit to Joseph's Tomb earlier this week, many army forces were diverted to the region, including those stationed in Lebanon.

Far-right lawmaker Tzvi Succot was filmed on Thursday attempting to break into a school in the northern Israeli Arab town of Tuba Zangaria during the school day, using a disc saw to cut through the school fence.

In footage from the scene, Succot, of the Religious Zionism party, is seen holding a circular saw and attempting to cut through the school's perimeter fence.

Succot's spokesperson confirmed that he attempted to break into the school and said students were present at the time of the incident.