A construction team from the Samaria Regional Council snuck into the Joseph's Tomb compound early Wednesday morning to repair damage caused by Palestinian vandals.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Earlier this week, a mob of dozens of rioters from Nablus broke in, set the site's rooms on fire, and caused extensive damage, including breaking the headstone on top of the grave itself.
Video: Samaria Regional Council
Clashes were reported at the site, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 18 Palestinians sustained injuries.
After the site was vandalized, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, "We will not accept an attack like this on a place holy to us, right before Passover, and we will capture the rioters. Of course, we will take care to rebuild what they wrecked, just like we always do."
The Samaria Regional Brigade under Col. Roy Zweig secured the repair mission, during which constructions workers rebuilt the broken parts of the tomb's gravestone and pained the walls that were defaced. The team also cleared away broken fragments and rubble, and fixed the windows.
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said, "This is a historic day. We arrived at dawn, and in daylight, a moment before the holiday of freedom, to restore the Jewish people's national honor, as well as the honor of the grave that was desecrated.
"The wild rioters from the Palestinian Authority school knew very well why they were destroyed and burning the grave of Joseph. They know that as long as the Jewish people in Israel and from overseas, led by the Samaria settlements, continue to visit their holy places and national heritage sites, they cannot defeat us," Dagan said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
