In a move described by participants as a "historic rectification," hundreds of Jewish worshippers gathered at Joseph’s Tomb in the city of Nablus this morning, Thursday, to conduct Shacharit (morning) prayers under the sun. This event marks the first time in a quarter-century that Jews have been permitted to enter the holy site during daylight hours rather than under the cover of darkness.
The daytime entry was made possible following a dramatic decision by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Traditionally, the Samaria Regional Council has organized monthly entries to the site late at night, coordinated with the IDF and Samaria Brigade, to minimize friction in the heart of the Palestinian-controlled city.
The morning service was attended by high-ranking political and religious figures, including:
- Yossi Dagan: Head of the Samaria Regional Council.
- MK Zvi Sukkot: Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcommittee for Judea and Samaria.
- Rabbi Yosef Elitzur: Head of the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, which operated at the site until 2000.
- Military Leadership: Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller (Judea and Samaria Division Commander) and Col. Ariel Gonen (Samaria Brigade Commander).
The Vision for Return
This daylight prayer is part of a structured, multi-stage plan led by Dagan and MK Sukkot, alongside Rabbi Dudu Ben Natan, father of the late soldier Shuval Ben Natan, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon and was a staunch advocate for returning to the tomb.
The ultimate goals of the program include:
1. Gradual Transition: Moving from nocturnal visits to regular daylight presence.
2. Educational Re-establishment: Returning the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva to the tomb complex.
3. Sovereignty: Establishing a permanent Jewish hold and raising the Israeli flag over the site.
Voices from the Scene
"This morning is one of historical repair," said Yossi Dagan during the prayers. "After years of entering in the middle of the night like thieves in the underground, we return home with our heads held high and in full daylight. We will not stop until the Israeli flag flies here permanently."
MK Zvi Sukkot echoed these sentiments, thanking Minister Katz for the "dramatic decision" and calling it the "first step in a full return."
Rabbi Yosef Elitzur expressed the emotional weight of praying in what was once the yeshiva’s study hall: "Abraham reached the place of Shechem (Nablus), and Jacob bought the plot of field here. We hope to quickly reach the stage of permanence, staying from morning until night as the masters of the first Hebrew city."
The event concluded without reports of significant security incidents, though the presence of high-level IDF commanders underscored the sensitive nature of the operation.
