Clashes break as Israeli troops escort settlers to Joseph's Tomb
Published today (updated) 20/04/2014 11:13
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=691401

NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces clashed with local Palestinians near
Joseph's Tomb east of Nablus on Sunday morning, locals and Palestinian
security sources told Ma'an.

The clashes broke after hundreds of Jewish Israelis arrived at Joseph's Tomb
around midnight and performed religious rituals at the site, escorted by
dozens of Israeli military vehicles.

Palestinian security sources said more than 30 Israeli military vehicles
stormed Nablus before midnight and were deployed around Joseph's Tomb near
Balata refugee camp east of the city.

Shortly after that, dozens of buses and private cars belonging to the Jewish
Israelis arrived and hundreds began to perform religious rites, staying
until early morning hours.

Witnesses said Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades at
young Palestinian men who pelted military vehicles with stones and empty
bottles.

No injuries or detentions were reported.

Jewish groups frequently visit Joseph's Tomb under the protection of Israeli
forces, who deploy heavily in the area and often get into clashes with youth
from the neighboring Balata refugee camp during these visits.

Despite lying in an area under Palestinian authority deep in the West Bank,
Israeli forces maintain control at the site and prohibit Muslims from
praying there.

Many Palestinians believe that Joseph's Tomb is the funerary monument to
Sheikh Yusef Dweikat, a local religious figure. Others believe that the tomb
belongs to the Biblical patriarch Joseph. The area is sacred to Jews,
Samaritans, Christians and Muslims alike.

More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank
and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.

The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West
Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli
military since 1967.