A group of Palestinian rioters vandalized the altar of Joshua 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 article Post.
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, as part of a larger problem of attacks on Israeli archaeological sites under Palestinian control.
“Unfortunately, Jewish and Christian holy sites are regularly targeted by Muslim settlers, such as Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem, the tombs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Leah and Rebekah 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.
“This is a consistent trend that shows there is a desire to eliminate the existence of Jewish and Christian history in Eretz Israel, the historic land of the Jewish people. Therefore, this holy site must be protected, like other holy sites in Israel, from Palestinian vandalism. »
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 sacred 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 guarantee true control over the site and prevent further damage or destruction of the altar. »
Heldt expressed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the altar to the Jewish people and calling for greater measures to protect the sacred 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. “There is an immediate need for the site to be properly protected against such vandalism. A permanent Jewish presence established on and around Mount Ebal will permanently secure this holy site for Jews and Christians.
