Israel condemns vandalization of Joseph’s Tomb by Palestinians

Members of the Bratslav Hasidic sect said this evening that they plan to return to Joseph’s Tomb in the environs of the West Bank city of Nablus. The shrine has been a focal point of violent disputes for several years now, with more incidents taking place in the past two days. One unnamed Bratslav member told Israeli press, “We’re going back tonight. Everyone knows we are just going to pray at the tomb and leave. Tonight, we’ll go in too.”

Following the Tel Aviv terror attack on April 7, Israeli security forces had intensified their activities in the West Bank, including raids on some villages and arrests of people suspected of being affiliated with terror groups or individual assailants, mainly in the Jenin area. On April 9, on the backdrop of clashes between Palestinian gunmen and IDF soldiers in the environs, dozens of Palestinians went into the site of Joseph’s Tomb, smashing objects there and setting it ablaze. They were later dispersed by Palestinian security forces. Images on social media showed parts of the tomb inside the shrine smashed and charred.