Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus

Rina Bassist

Aug 15, 2024

Jewish worshippers pray at Joseph's Tomb as hundreds of faithful mark the anniversary of the biblical Joseph's death, Nablus, West Bank, July 4, 2011. — Jewish worshippers pray at Joseph's Tomb as hundreds of faithful mark the anniversary of the biblical figure's death in Nablus, West Bank, July 4, 2011. — Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

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Hundreds of Israelis traveled to the West Bank city of Nablus to pray on Thursday at the Tomb of Joseph, a site considered holy by Jews.

Among those at the tomb were far-right Knesset member Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party, settler leaders and family members of Israelis killed in attacks in the West Bank in recent months. A large contingent of Israeli soldiers secured the area for them.

The Israeli military views Joseph’s Tomb, located in a populated Palestinian area, as an especially sensitive site. Israeli troops are not regularly stationed at the building that surrounds it, but deploy for protection when pilgrims request permission to pray there.

On several occasions since the second intifada erupted in 2000, the shrine has been torched and otherwise damaged by Palestinians and has been the scene of violent and deadly clashes between Palestinians and Jews.