Rioters Set Fire to the Tomb of Biblical Patriarch Joseph

Extremists have called for this Friday to be a “Day of Rage”. Ahead of this, Yediot Achronot reports that rioters set fire to the tomb of the biblical patriarch Joseph:

Extremists set alight parts of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus overnight Thursday as they rioted and threw Molotov cocktails, while security forces have prepared for confrontations on Friday…

They declared Friday a “Day of Rage”, as was the case on every Friday for the past month. Other factions are also expected to clash with security forces at long-standing points of friction in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron. East Jerusalem is also expected to be the site of confrontations following noon prayers…

These extremist groups have been urging young people to go out and rally, but it is unclear whether members of the organization will permit protesters to reach the Gaza border fence given last week’s fatalities. Nevertheless, the marchers are expected to reach several points of friction simultaneously in the north, centre and south of the Gaza Strip.

IDF continues to be on high alert well into the weekend, especially during Friday prayers and the disturbances expected afterwards.

The IDF’s Lt. Col. Peter Lerner had this to say about the attack, likening it to the destruction being done throughout the Middle East by extremists:

The burning and desecration of Joseph’s Tomb last night is a blatant violation and contradiction of the basic value of freedom of worship. It is reminiscent of what barbarians are doing elsewhere in the Middle East. The IDF will bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice, restore the site to its previous condition and ensure that the freedom of worship returns to Joseph’s Tomb.