Palestinian vandals broke into Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus/Shechem on Saturday night, setting fire to parts of the site and smashing parts of the tomb structure, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
The attackers also reportedly damaged a large chandelier at the site, shattered a water tank and broke an electrical cabinet, according to Israel Hayom.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called the vandalism at the tomb “a grave event and a serious violation of freedom of worship in one of the holiest places for every Jew. It violates the feelings of the entire Jewish nation, especially when it occurs during the Muslim holy month.”
The defense minister vowed that “the State of Israel will take action to ensure that the site will be refurbished and quickly returned to its original condition. In addition, we will take all the measures necessary to prevent such incidents.”
Palestinian vandals torched Joseph’s Tomb in 2015, causing serious damage, which was later repaired by the Samaria Regional Council.
In 2000, Palestinian terrorists attacked the site at a time when it was guarded by a small IDF force. That attack resulted in the killing of Israeli Border Police officer Madhat Yousef.