This was not the first time that Arabs have vandalized the compound, but this time was particularly difficult, as entire walls in the compound were covered with the graffiti. The Jews were also surprised to discover that this year, unlike in previous years, dozens of local Arabs gathered at the graveside and firmly demanded that the security forces who were present stop the dancing of some youths who broke into song and dance. The officers approached the youths and asked that they refrain from dancing and singing, but they refused and continued to dance for several minutes.
Gershon Mesika, head of the Shomron Regional Authority who was unable to hide his shock at the graffiti, said: “Only barbarians can do such terrible things. People who are able to deface a holy place so badly do not deserve to be called civilized. If this was Jews desecrating a Muslim shrine, the whole world would speak out against it.”
The mass tefillah at the kever of Yehoshua took place to mark Asara B’Teves. The Yidden davened at the kever as well as at the kevorim of Yehoshua’s father Nun and of Calev ben Yefuneh which are nearby.
The thousands included men and women of all ages and all walks of life
The event was organized by the Shomron Regional Authority, the Shechem Echad organization, and the Shomron Religious Council. The Yidden were secured by soldiers belonging to the Ephraim Brigade.
