ARAB RIOTERS DAMAGED JOSHUA'S ALTAR ON MOUNT EBAL.

By JERUSALEM POST staff, January 4, 2024, 08:47

Vandalism at Joshua's altar on Mount Ebal on January 4, 2024. (Photo credit: fight for every ACRE organization.) 

Rioters vandalized historical remains by burning tires and spraying Palestinian flags and Arabic inscriptions on altar stones. 

Joshua's altar in the West Bank was vandalized this week by Arab rioters from surrounding villages. 

Rioters vandalized historical remains by burning tires and spraying Palestinian flags and Arabic inscriptions on altar stones. 

An activist from the mavak al kol dunam (a Fight for Every Acre) organization, who came to the site on Thursday, stated that the vandalism was "the result of the lack of Jewish presence on the mountain." A year earlier, the organization reported that the Palestinian Authority plans to build a residential neighborhood on the site of the altar itself, which, according to the group, will destroy archaeological remains and prevent Jews from accessing the heritage site. 

On Thursday, after the destruction of the altar, the organization announced that it would hold prayers in the area of the site the next day to increase the Jewish presence on the mountain. They will also remember Captain Harel Sharvit of the Israel Defense Forces, who died in the Gaza Strip and was one of the most famous activists who supported the establishment of Jewish settlements there. 

The altar has been subjected to numerous attacks by Palestinians in the past two years. 

Some attacks caused irreparable damage to the walls. According to the organization, "the presence of Jews on the mountain in the form of farms or permanent settlements will ensure Israeli control of the area and prevent the destruction of the altar." The right-wing government, which has previously opposed the destruction of the site, should begin construction of the settlement on the mountain.

News Sources : https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-780702