Israel Matzav

Holy site defaced again

A holy site in Israel has been defaced. Worshipers discovered that the site had graffiti scrawled all over it, including swastikas, when they went there to pray Slichoth prayers on Wednesday night. But this time, not one Israeli politician has condemned the damage. The only religious leaders who have condemned the damage have been the country's two chief rabbis - Yona Metzger and Joseph Amar - and local rabbis in the area. No clergy from other religions have apologized. No Binyamin Netanyahu and no Shimon Peres. No foreign politicians either. That's because this time, the site that was defaced was Joseph's tomb in Shchem, and it was probably defaced by 'Palestinians.'

Unknown assailants have scrawled graffiti, including swastikas, on the walks of Joseph's Tomb in Nablus. Soldiers and worshippers arriving at the holy site on Wednesday night, exactly one year after the completion of its renovation, rushed to erase the graffiti.

Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika placed responsibility on the "Palestinian police terrorists."

Some 1,500 people visited Joseph's Tomb in a special prayer organized by the Shomron Regional Council and the Shechem Echad organization in coordination with the security forces, ahead of Yom Kippur.

When the first soldiers and worshippers arrived at the site, they immediately painted the graffiti in white and the prayer began.

Selichot were said throughout the night in different Jewish versions, and the sounds of the shofar were heard across the West Bank city. Participants included Samaria Rabbi Elyakim Levanon and Rabbi David Dudkevitch of Yitzhar, who hosted the Rebbe of Volbroz, visiting from the United States.

...

Israel's Chief Rabbis Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar expressed their shock and disgust over the damage caused to the holy tomb. "It's unthinkable that the holiest sites serve as a target of revenge between religions," they said in a statement.

The two called on all religious clerics to strongly condemn the incident and "instill in their followers feelings of respect for the values sacred to members of other religions."

Fat chance. Does anyone smell a double standard?

By the way, the government announced on Thursday that it arrested an 18-year old yeshiva student from the north in connection with the alleged Tuba Zanghariya mosque arson. The arrest was made within a few hours of the fire, but there's a gag order on the case. More details here.

Labels: double standards, Joseph's tomb

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:32 PM