• Published 00:00 18.06.07
  • Latest update 00:00 18.06.07

Hasids plan second trip to Nablus tomb, despite IDF warning

Groups had unsuccessfully attempted to reach grave on Saturday.

By Nadav Shragai

A group of Bratslav Hasids attempted to reach the Joseph's Tomb in Nablus on Saturday night, and have announced their intention to do so again Monday night.

The Israel Defense Forces has prohibited Jews from entering the area of the tomb for security reasons, and is prepared to stop the group.

Saturday night a group of a few dozen people managed reach the settlement of Itamar, southeast of Nablus; a second group went to Mount Bracha northeast of Nablus. However, the groups did not manage to reach their destination, the tomb of the biblical patriarch.

The beginning of the Hebrew month of Tamuz, marking the death date of Joseph, is observed with celebrations.

The Hasids said the IDF was preventing access to the tomb because of the desecration of graves in the northern West Bank village of Kifel Hares during a celebration at the tomb of the biblical leader Joshua earlier this month, and the subsequent criticism voice concerning the army's actions.

In light of warnings the security establishment has received of the intention of terrorists to harm citizens planning to enter the city, and in keeping with assessments stemming from many considerations, the entrance of residents to the area is totally prohibited, a statement released by the army said.

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  • 5. 0 0
    binyamin dissen 1
    • just wondering
    • 05.07.07
    • 04:35

    So what's the big deal? You can't do any harm to a person who is dead. Pay more attention to those who are still alive.

  • 4. 0 0
    Remember Baruch Goldstein?
    • Don Camillo
    • 18.06.07
    • 14:45

    The IDF is right to stop this Bratslav move. I suspect it has nothing at all to do with pious religious observance but is rather a tour de force, a show of strength to antagonise and belittle the Palestinians.

  • 3. 0 0
    Waste of public resources
    • SJ
    • 18.06.07
    • 13:50

    Once agian the Hasideem ignore the law and ignore security warnings, while at the same time put the lives of the security perssonel at risk in protecting them. My advice get a job, pay taxes go to the army and then we`ll talk democracy.

  • 2. 0 0
    Deployment of soldiers and police
    • Joseph
    • 18.06.07
    • 10:58

    In Israel's present difficult situation, protecting life must be the top priority. Deploying large numbers of soldiers or police for Joseph's Tomb or the Open House Parade shouldn't be necessary. People must display common sense and not force issues.

  • 1. 0 0
    Why are arabs allowed in the Mt. of Olives cemetery?
    • Binaymin Dissen
    • 18.06.07
    • 10:42

    Seems like the Left ignores when Jewish graves are desecrated, such as the Gur Rav, since the moslems who desecrated did it because they were "bored". And the Europeans, with their centuries of desecrating Jewish graves, feel no need to object.