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Palestinian Rioters Set Fire to Joseph's Tomb in West Bank

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Oct 16, 2015

Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus was burned early Friday morning (Oct. 16) by hundreds of Palestinian rioters. The tomb, which was a popular prayer site for Jews, suffered severe damage, but there were no injuries in the fire. 

Fox News reports the fire was set ahead of an emergency United Nation Security Council meeting to discuss recent violence in the West Bank region, including stabbings and acts of arson. 

Israel Defense Forces said that the site will be repaired and the military intends to identify the arsonists involved. 

Former foreign minister under Benjamin Netanyahu Avigdor Lieberman said, "This arson shows that the Palestinian Authority's occupation is no different than that of [ISIS].” 

He continued that the rioters were acting under Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ influence, first killing Israelis with machetes and knives, "and now burning holy and historical sites, just like [ISIS] is doing in Iraq and Syria."

Abbas insists that the attacks go against Palestine’s interests and he does not endorse them. 

Publication date: October 16, 2015