Joseph's Tomb in Nablus
Photo: IDF Spokesperson Unit
Settlers arrested in attempt to enter Joseph's Tomb
Dozens of teens try to enter holy site in Nablus without first coordinating visit with IDF, claim Palestinians threw stones. Palestinian police arrest 2, IDF arrests 6
Dozens of settlers attempted to enter Joseph's Tomb in Nablus Saturday night, without coordinating the visit with the IDF. The attempt ended with six arrested teenage girls and settler claims of violence from the Palestinians.
Other Side
Yair Altman
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At around 9 pm dozens of teens associated with the Hilltop Youth movement began marching towards the Palestinian city. A small group was stopped by IDF forces which had prepared for the teens' arrival, but 19 managed to sneak into the West Bank city through nearby villages.
The group managed to get into the heart of the Palestinian city and progressed towards Joseph's Tomb. According to the settlers, they got within dozens of meters from the tomb itself, but at some point they met Nablus residents who began throwing stones at them.
One of the organizers told Ynet that "they threw stones; the situation became more and more dangerous with every minute that passed. We were on the street where Joseph's Tomb is located and a large group of Arabs was waiting for us on both sides."
Eventually the teens managed to escape and no one was injured in the incident. In spite of not coordinating their arrival with the IDF, they teens criticized the army. "There were no forces waiting for us in Nablus as is customary. We aren't tourists who need Palestinian approval in order to enter, we demand that the IDF enable us to renew the yeshiva's activity."
Palestinian police told the IDF it arrested two of the infiltrators which were later handed over to Israel. In spite of last night's events, the teens aren't worried that the infiltration attempts will lead to casualties.
"We operate with our eyes open and are always on the lookout. The moment we identify a situation that could develop and become dangerous, we know the area well enough to escape independently," one of them said.
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