Vandals Spray Paint Swastikas & Graffiti on ‘Joseph’s Tomb’ Near Israel
- Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:02am by
Billy Hallowell
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Jewish men pray at Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, Monday, July 4, 2011. (Image Credit: AP)
On Thursday, Israeli soldiers discovered that Joseph’s Tomb, a revered prayer site that is believed to be the place where the biblical character Joseph is buried, has been vandalized.
According to Jewish Week, swastikas and other graffiti were spray painted onto the tomb. The damage was found early in the morning before 1,500 Jewish worshippers arrived at the location to pray. To keep these worshippers from seeing what had occurred, the soldiers reportedly covered the damage with white paint prior to their arrival.
The Israeli Army has apparently been coordinating monthly pilgrimages to the tomb for worshippers since 2009. This particular event was planned in coordination with the military ahead of Yom Kippur (the holiest day on the Jewish calendar). According to an army spokesperson:
“This morning, soldiers discovered swastikas painted on the walls of the building that contains the tomb. The soldiers cleaned the premises and a complaint was sent to the Palestinian Authority.”
Danny Dayan, who is the chairman of the Yesha Council which represents West Bank settlers, railed against the vandalism, calling it “shocking.”
Dayan was particularly surprised, as the defacing took place just days before Yom Kippur.
Gershon Mesika, who has been heavily involved in restoring the site and who is the head of the Samaria regional council, responded to the incident by saying that “only barbarians would be able to commit such terrible acts.” He continued, saying, ”People who can pathologically desecrate such a holy site are not worthy of being called human beings.”
An image depicting past conflict at the tomb
AFP provides some history, which showcases the divisiveness that exists surrounding the religious site:
The tomb is a place of pilgrimage for religious Jews, who believe it to be the final resting place of the biblical figure Joseph. Muslims believe that an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yussef (Joseph) Dawiqat, was buried there two centuries ago.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the site was to remain under Israeli control. But the Israeli army evacuated the premises in October 2000 shortly after the start of the second intifada, or uprising, and it was immediately destroyed and burnt by the Palestinians.
The restoration of the tomb was completed recently, and following improved security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, the army allows Jewish worshippers to make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages to the site.
This isn’t the first time the tomb has been vandalized over the past decade. Interestingly, this most recent act of aggression comes just one day after a mosque was torched in Northern Israel, causing one to wonder if this act is retaliatory.
(H/T: The Jewish Week)
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Comments (83)
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:11pmJOSEPH literally saved the world’s civilization because he was a man of prayer – totally devoted to God – who PREPARED FOR DISASTER, so that when it hit, he was able to help. He didn’t just help his family, he also helped Egyptians (who already were racist anti-semites), and people from around the world who flocked to Egypt because they knew there was food there.
JOSPEH is one of the few men in the Bible about whom there is no glaring moral defect or controlling sin recorded. He was mistreated and lied about, and falsely imprisoned for years, and NEVER lost faith.
The EGYPTIANS re-named him Zaphenathpeneya (spelling?) which literally means “savior of the world”.
It goes to show you how VILE AND DISGUSTING the Palestinians are.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 2:56pmYou do know that it is Moses whom inspired the Books of Moses(and Moses was a spirit), through the Prophet Aaron (whom was the Prophet in the room), don’t you? Wouldn’t it be something amazing, if the Tomb of Joseph was actually The Tomb of Jesus?
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 3:36pmAgree with your comments re Joseph. I would disagree re your statements re Palestinians, somewhat though. Not all are. In fact there are some[a few] who are Christians, but have to keep a very low profile, or they will be murdered. My sister met one, who became a Christian, when listening to believers spreading the Gospel in Jerusalem. He converted from islam to Christianity, and had to leave before he was found out,and killed, which is what the quar’an teaches. There are others,so I believe we need to pray for their safety,and for the safety, of our brothers, the Jews,worldwide,and especially in Israel,as their,and our, persecution increases.
Report Post »Maranatha
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 5:14pm@ HOLLYWOOD
I completely agree. And I apologize for being too broad with my words. I did not intend to smear ALL Palestinians, and if anyone was offended – I am sorry. I do realize that there are Palestinians who are peaceful people.
Report Post »JeremyLA
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:02pmI agree.
Report Post »waggie
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:48pmWhat they are defacing is a “thing”. I know it is sacred, but let’s remember WHO is sacred (Jesus) and not WHAT. They can take whatever they want and destroy it, but they can never take our souls if we belong to Christ. He and He alone has the victory!
Report Post »getalong
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:37pmPalestinians have no moral compass. Even if you give them statehood, they will continue to terrorize. They should be treated as terrorist because their actions show the world they are barbarians. No tears here for their plight. They are lazy, disrespectful, and deserve the “sorry-ass” cojnditions they find themselves in.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:27amInteresting how evil likes to leave its calling card where ever it goes.
Report Post »Pigpen
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 5:23amThe article quotes: “only barbarians would be able to commit such terrible acts.” He continued, saying, ”People who can pathologically desecrate such a holy site are not worthy of being called human beings.”
Funny, what then would you call a “people” who falsely accused another people of making soap out of their dead bodies and then using that accusation to extort BILLIONS of marks from that group, and then throw individuals in jail for telling the TRUTH that soap was never made from humans, and then when the lie was revealed to be patently FALSE, do nothing to make amends? People who lie about being persecuted, even if it results in the wrongful arrest, imprisonment, or even execution of others, I guess THOSE people are HIGH CIVILIZATION? G-d Help US!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:23pmUSA as a nation should have stepped in to stand with Israel 3 years ago when obama slyly started telling the muslim world he wanted to see Israel annihilated too.
remove obama and his vile national socialist obamaites, and then a simultaneous surgical air strike to remove the Big 3 megamosques over there -and- the NYC Victory mosque here from the face of the earth would do the trick. George Washington would certainly Approve.
Report Post »americanchristiansoldier
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:52amJoseph, ‘a biblical character’…..Gee, I had to scroll back to the top to see if somehow I was on media matters. I believe he was a bit more than a character.
Report Post »Tim Law
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 12:02amPC is everywhere. You have to wonder if the Blaze staff thinks our LORD JESUS is just a biblical character. After all Joseph is an uncle many time removed granted, but uncle none less to our LORD JESUS. As to the vandalism of Joseph’s tomb, can we really be surprised? These people destroy everything they touch. The Palestinians have always been outlaws run out of every middle eastern country, until Israel gave them a place to live. Israel has paid the price every since. GOD Bless Israel!
Report Post »jessieH
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:47amSo simple, even a cave man can do it. What they call vandals, I call Palistinians. They don’t know how to build their own land into a furtile oasis, so they try to destroy those that do.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 3:40pmEvery time Palestinians took over former Jewish settlements, in previous peace agreements. they levelled the houses,even though many of them had no house to live in. Only satan [along with his mullah disciples] can foment hatred to a level such as this.
Report Post »Rechercar
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:57am@Hollywood – I’ve no love for most Palestinian behavior, but the “settlement leveling” isn’t the whole story. Most (and I mean almost all) Israeli settlements in the West Bank are able to be built only after older homes are demolished, homes that usually date back to British rule, and sometimes to the end of the Ottoman Empire. It’s no surprise that Palestinians would demolish vacated settlements. Living in a house that was built after your neighbor’s house was destroyed is seen as a capitulation.
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:41amSo, the Jews burned down a mosque, and then the Muslims spray paint nazi symbols on a tomb that the Muslims believe is the tomb of an Islamic holy man. Something does not connect here. I think a third party is involved trying to stir up trouble before the Jewish holidays.
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:14amUh oh, that aint good.
Report Post »discus02
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:13amThere is no Palestine, How many times must I say it!
Report Post »TNT_Party
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:31pmTruth has been spoken!
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:02am@PATRIOT…I will….People I know we are all getting frustraited….and at times we wonder is God seeing all of this? Just stay grounded in the fact that He is, He is watching and He’s remembering, and these godless or false god worshipers ie. muslims will have the hammer of God dropped on them.
Report Post »God is watching keep your faith, gird your loins with it.
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:57amWhat an evil deed. We will all be judged some day and the soul of each should be full of love not hate so think before you act. God Bless
Report Post »mikebambi
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:45amthats one big fahita these Palestinians are standing on , you would think its mount Everest
Report Post »HOn3yB33
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:44amDoes anyone else see WW111 coming down the pike? The Arab spring, the division in America, the worst economy crisis in our time, no leadership in America.
They have no respect for ISRAEL. We must stand w/ Israel.
Report Post »gardenia98
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 6:59pmTo HON3YB33 – I agree with you. Just go to http://www.survivalblog.com and learn how to get prepared for
Report Post »total ANARCHY in this country. Plan on spending a lot of time on this site. I’d say 80% of the population is ignorant about how to survive in a chaotic society. It‘s been getting scary for many years now but nobody is paying any attention because they’re too wrapped up in their own narcissistic lives and spend zero time on int’l uprisings. If they think it isn’t already happening here they must get their heads out of the sand!
Learn HOW to prepare, esp. those who live in large urban areas!
wolfinshdo
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:00pmAmerica does have leadership, it’s just leading in the wrong direction.
Report Post »Junter
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:40amSwatikas? Wasn’t an Egyptian Nazi party formed recently?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/founders-of-egyptian-nazi-party-claims-its-not-hostile-to-jews/
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:28amIt’s has been this way ever since Israel released control of the site!
Report Post »American_Alliance_for_the_Support_of_Sarcasm
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:24amI am a Christian.
Report Post »I am an American.
I stand with my Jewish brothers and sisters.
I AM AN ISRAELI.
dirtwork33
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:34amMe Too!!!&
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:23pmActually….brother you are a gentile…only a jew can be a jew. Does not make you less in Gods eyes. You are a brother to the jew. And yes we will all be in Jerusalem together someday with our Lord Jesus as our King for a 1000 years.
Report Post »Kilkman
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 1:36amActually, To be a Jew Means to be of Judea. Or to be of the tribe of Judah. Israel consists of 12 tribes. So to be an Israeli does not make one a Jew. Hebrew, yes. But Jew only Applies to those from the land of Judea or of the Tribe of Judah. You could well be Hebrew, No one really knows where the Ten Northern Tribes (Israel) Ended up. They never returned. But they will according to prophecy.
Report Post »As far as Josephs tomb goes, It’s probably empty. Taken up with the rest of the First Fruits After Yeshua’s Resurrection.
TexOkie
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:23amOnly barbarians and the followers of Mohammad, peace be upon him.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:22amIn the 1930‘s and 1940’s, most arabs and muslims were sympathetic to Hitler. He was against the Jews and so were they. In fact, in the 50′s,when Nassar ran Egypt, he made a place for many Nazi scientist in his regime. They lived in luxury in Egypt and helped build Egypt’s missle programs. It is no surprise that the muslims revive the swastika and paint it on Jewish holy places.
Report Post »Rechercar
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:49amThat’s true, but that logic cuts both ways. Israel had no problem allying with the Phalange Party in Lebanon when they invaded in the early ’80s, a party that modeled itself after the Hitler Youth, after its founder, Pierre Gemayel, visited Germany during the Olympics and found himself “inspired.” Or see Avraham Stern, an early Zionist militia leader, who wrote Hitler twice and suggested a partnership: Hitler would send the Jews to Eretz Israel, and in exchange the Stern Gang would execute terror attacks on the British, the mutual enemy of Zionists and Germany.
Germany, obviously, didn’t respond either time, but it‘s still telling that he’s got his own memorial day, his own postage stamp, and a town named after him.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:18amSo go to the Dome of The Rock ans pour pigs blood all over.
Report Post »thesandman
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:31am+1…they’re animals. Only one way to deal with animals as animals can’t be reasoned with.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:58amI have thought of that, too. Or maybe bacon grease. And it could be done with a very simple, short range device (like a suped-up potato thrower).
Report Post »Angel
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:17amI wonder how the muslims are going to explain this to God when they stand before him… they are known by their fruits, and this is the muslims fruits, evil…
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:03amOkay, it’s Israel, so that means Jews are spray painting swastikas? Great.
Report Post »TangoBravo
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:17amActually it’s part of Palestine I believe. How disgusting and pathetic.
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:20amSeriously, Mandors? The portion of Jerusalem where Joseph’s Tomb is, is under Islamic rule. The Jews are only allowed there during certain times of the day. It was Muslims that desecrated the Tomb.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:21amDid you even read the article? It’s in the Palestinian area! Jews can only make “nocturnal pilgrimages” meaning they can only travel there at night!! This is what happened in the West Bank when Israel left there destroyed Temples and the 4 million dollar greenbhouses that Bill Gates (Microsoft Founder) had paid for to FEED the Palestinians!!! These animals you seem top be supporting cause of your supposed hatred for the Jews/Zionists is amazing!!
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:26am@ MANDORS: Father God in heaven will send his Son, again, and these idiots will be dealt with properly. In the mean-time, this site and others should be under heavy guard 24 / 7 with orders to use deadly force when necessary, which is the only thing these Palestinian animals understand. The Jews did NOT desecrate this Holy site.
Report Post »W@nd@
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:59am“only barbarians would be able to commit such terrible acts.”
Report Post »EVIL is as EVIL DOES!
the fruits of their hands
bears out what is in their hearts! HATE!
Anyone who would stand with this evil is not misinformed
they are as evil as those with whom they are standing!
If they would desecrate anothers holy site
what makes you think
they will respect what you believe or hold dear either?
This is evil and evil should not be tolerated
but anhilated…crushed!
Look at history..past you see what happens when good men do nothing!
Evil flourishes…evil is anti-God, you know this! If you’re not on His side you are on the other! Yes it is just that black and white! (and that is not a racist statement!)
BernieKittyCat
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:35am“… Joseph is buried, was been vandalized.”
PLEASE EDIT YOUR ARTICLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:59amI does reading this arkticle, and were thought the same thing.
Report Post »Carol Ingian
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:34amGod is watching.
Report Post »They have sealed their fate with Him.
DanWesson455
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:51amFor all believers this is a horrific act. Even Muslims should be up in arms over this. The Rock at Mecca could be next. How would that fit with their feelings.
Report Post »gdbhusker
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:23amAHHHHH!!!! See, it always comes around that Islam conquers every other religion! they change history, laws, times, dates etc… People always tell me( including our idiot muslim president) all the great advances civilization has because of Islam. Well, the books I read say that the muslim invaders took over everything and claimed it as their own, even this tomb of Joseph!…. funny thing that muslim stoolies won’t tell you is that the most dangerous form..( shia-iranian) is not even historically muslim….but Aryan! heres a history lesson….most muslims had gone away from blatant hatred of the jews by the end of the ottoman empire. Iran was called persia, and a group of clerics really loved what an upcoming german had to say (Hitler), so much so, that they took the Reich’s plan and even changed their name from Persia…to Iran, which is farce for Aryan! wow…history can be fun! all of the wonderful advances that came from turkey,syria, and babylon….were from the Greek empire…..if Islam was so cutting edge…and advanced….how is it that most live the way they do? or that their scientists cannot make the proper guidance systems to complete ICBM technology? I am glad they can’t, and realize all of their modern tech is coming from Russia and China….hey thanks Islam for all the terror that you have brought to the world!!!
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:47am“most muslims had gone away from blatant hatred of the jews by the end of the ottoman empire.”
that’s because Jews in muslim lands, the ones that ended up in Israel after 1948, were completely subdued and out of muslim sight and mind..
islam’s ideology hates Jews.. muslims hate Jews… there is no such thing as ‘optional’ in islam..
Report Post »patriot50
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:36amAmen
Report Post »rcrosby66
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:14amWe are very close to the return of Jesus!! Are you ready?
Report Post »gdbhusker
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:24amyes I am….even so Lord Jeshua,come quickly
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:29amYea…I watch Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel every Friday. I love stories about paranormal activity…
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:38amTell me again now…what‘s going to happen to all of the Jews in Israel if they don’t accept Jesus? I’m sure the Jews of Israel appreciate you telling them what they have to do to attain salvation. I think I might be a little resentful if I was an Israeli Jew.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:02amLiar. No one watches Ghost Adventures.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:15amYes, indeed! HE is ready. Are we?
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:53amLumbar Spine,
Report Post »Without going into a long explanation, I believe the Jews will have a chance to know who Yahshua is during the millennium. I realize that most people on here don’t believe that way and I have no intention of getting into a big argument with them about it.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:09am.
Report Post »If way back in the day Israel had not listened to the U.S.A., and wiped out the PLO. How different would that part of the world look now?…………
Rechercar
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:31amProbably not very different. Jordan tried to wipe out the PLO, and that made things much worse; Syria tried it and made things much worse; Israel tried it and managed to inspire several resistance movements. When they were left alone, and Israel just had a security zone in Lebanon, they went to killing each other. That might have been the best plan.
Report Post »