A group of Palestinian rioters vandalized the Joshua Altar in the West Bank, a site revered by millions of Jews and Christians.
The altar, which is located on Mount Ebal, was damaged after rioters burned tires on its remains and spray-painted Palestinian flags and Arabic inscriptions on the stones last week, according to a Jerusalem Post report.
According to a TPS report, the site is under joint control with the Palestinian Authority and has been the target of vandalism on numerous occasions, part of a larger problem of attacks on Israeli archaeological sites under Palestinian control.
“Unfortunately, Jewish and Christian holy sites are repeatedly attacked by Muslim settlers, such as Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem, the Tombs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Leah and Rebecca in Hebron, the Tomb of Joseph in Shechem (Nablus ) and many others,” Rev. Petra Heldt, a prominent Christian scholar who has lived in Israel for 40 years, told Fox News Digital.
“It is a consistent pattern that shows that there is a desire to eliminate the existence of Jewish and Christian history in Eretz Israel, the historical land of the Jewish people. Therefore, this holy place must be protected, like other holy places in Israel, from Palestinian vandalism.”
The Altar of Joshua in the West Bank was vandalized by Palestinian protesters. zstadler/Wikipedia
The site was later visited by Israeli activists from the Forum for the Struggle for Every Dunam, who called on Israel to do more to protect Israeli holy sites.
“The serious incident that took place this week is a direct result of the lack of Jewish presence on this hill,” the organization said in a statement, according to the TPS report.
“Today it is clearer than ever that only a fixed Jewish presence on a farm or town will ensure that there is real control over the site and prevent further damage or destruction of the altar.”
“The serious incident that took place this week is a direct result of the lack of Jewish presence on this hill,” the organization said in a statement, according to the TPS report.
Heldt expressed a similar sentiment, highlighting the importance of the altar to the Jewish people and calling for greater measures to protect the holy site.
“The altar dates back to the time of Joshua (1400 BC), who led the Jewish people from exile to the Promised Land,” Heldt said. “It is immediately necessary that the site receives adequate protection against this type of vandalism. A permanent Jewish presence established on Mount Ebal and its surroundings will permanently secure that holy place for Jews and Christians.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn