Palestinian rioters set fire to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus

[oberliner]

A large group of Palestinians set fire to the compound containing Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, the Israeli media reported early Friday morning.

Channel 2 television said that the Palestinian Authority security forces dispersed the hundred-strong crowd and managed to douse the fire at the tomb, believed to contain the remains of the biblical patriarch Joseph. IDF troops arrived at the scene once the confrontation was over and the fire was out, the television reported.

The Walla website also reported that Palestinian Authority security forces had brought the fire under control and dispersed the rioters.The blaze caused major damage to the women’s section at the site, the website said.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-try-to-set-fire-to-josephs-tomb-in-nablus/

[shenmue]

1. :(

[Little Tich]

2. While I think this is a horrible crime and I want those who did it found and prosecuted,

I can't help but wonder about what the IDF spokesman said about the IDF bringing the perpetrators to justice. I thought Nablus was under Palestinian control, and that it would be up to the PA to find and bring the perpetrators to justice, not the IDF.

Are the Oslo accords not in place anymore, or have I missed something?

[oberliner]

3. Israel retained control Joseph's Tomb as part of the Olso Accord

Joseph's Tomb was not included in the list of holy sites which was transferred to the Palestinians as a result of the Oslo agreement.

Palestinians have tried to burn it down several times over the years - and have also smashed the headstone and painted Nazi graffiti at the location.

[azurnoir]

4. Is Nablus the location of Joseph's Tomb located in Area A ?

[oberliner]

9. Yes, but special arrangements were agreed on to protect Jewish holy sites

Joseph's Tomb was among those Jewish holy sites that were to remain under Israeli control as part of the Oslo agreement even though it is located in Nablus.

[azurnoir]

12. so IOW Area A is only under Palestinian as Israel pleases

[azurnoir]

13. since 200 special permission must be obtained for Israeli's to visit Joseph's Tomb

[Little Tich]

6. I bow to your wisdom - I should have been able to Google it myself...

I think it's a sign of extreme hate and disrespect to defile a holy site only for its Jewish connection, and I hope they're found and prosecuted.

[oberliner]

10. The religious dimension of this conflict cannot be underestimated

In my view, because people on both sides of the conflict have beliefs about various locations being sacred and/or religiously significant - the pathway towards a solution is less obvious than it would appear.

Especially in regard to Jerusalem, a location which is as central to Judaism as Mecca is to Islam, but also with respect to various other holy sites that are often significant both to Jews and Muslims (and in many cases Christians as well).

[Little Tich]

16. I think that in this case, religion has been hijacked for nationalist motives.

And that goes for both sides. Nevertheless, the added religious dimension means that at least two world religions are involved, which by definition only makes things worse.

Nevertheless, the desecration of Jacob's Tomb is a terrible act by any standards.

[oberliner]

17. Much of the nationalism is tied to the religiosity

Just as most who follow Islam believe that Mecca must always be controlled by Muslims, so too do many Jews with respect to Jerusalem. Take the religious component out of it, and everything would be different.

[Little Tich]

18. I think that religion is often just used as a vehicle for nationalism.

It's something that I've noticed before in other ethnic conflicts.

[azurnoir]

5. Interesting that both Times of Israel and Arutz Sheva originally said it was IDF not

Palestinian security that put out the flames ToI changed its story Arutz Sheva did not

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201977

[Little Tich]

7. I missed that - I don't read Arutz Sheva... n/t

[oberliner]

11. It's strange that anyone here would

Considering it's a RW pro-settler website.

Though, I am often surprised by what sources folks here find to be worth reading.

[azurnoir]

14. I found it when I was checking out the story last night

[grossproffit]

8. Just like ISIS.

[geek tragedy]

15. sickening. nt