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.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned yesterday the vandalism and arson of Joseph’s Tomb, saying, “During the night Palestinians destroyed Joseph’s Tomb. Dozens of Palestinian rioters in a campaign of destruction simply violated a holy place for us, the Jews. They broke the tombstone on the grave, set fire to rooms in the compound — I saw the pictures and was shocked. We will not abide such an assault on a place that is holy to us — on the eve of Passover — and we will get to the rioters. And of course, we will make sure to rebuild what they destroyed, as we always do.”

In a statement issued in Hebrew, English and Arabic, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said yesterday, “The vandalism of Joseph’s Tomb is a grave event and a serious violation of freedom of worship in one of the holiest places for every Jew. It violates the feelings of the entire Jewish nation, especially when it occurs during the Muslim holy month. The State of Israel will take action to ensure that the site will be refurbished and quickly returned to its original condition. In addition, we will take all the measures necessary to prevent such incidents. This morning, I have delivered a strong message to the Palestinian Authority, demanding the immediate reinforcement of their officials onsite and decisive action against rioters and terrorists that harm stability and security in holy places.”