Israel Approves Daylight Visits to Joseph’s Tomb for First Time in 25 Years

In a historic shift, Israel has approved daylight pilgrimage to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) for the first time in more than two decades. Worshippers will now be allowed to remain at the site until 8 a.m., marking a return to early morning access that has not been permitted since the early 2000s.

The decision, announced Monday, follows an agreement between Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior commanders of the Israel Defense Forces. Until now, all visits to the tomb believed to be the burial place of the biblical Joseph, son of Jacob have been restricted to night hours, heavily guarded and coordinated through military escort.

“This is about allowing greater freedom of worship while preserving the security framework that has been in place for years,” Katz said, emphasizing that no changes will be made to existing security arrangements.

Under the updated policy, groups may now enter as early as 6 a.m. and stay for up to two hours, enabling worshippers to conduct traditional morning prayers at the site something they’ve been unable to do for nearly 25 years.

Joseph’s Tomb is located in Shechem, a city within Area A of the West Bank, under full Palestinian Authority control. Yet under the Oslo Accords, Israel retained special access rights to the site due to its religious significance. Despite those provisions, the tomb has long been a flashpoint for violence.

In 2000, amid the outbreak of the Second Intifada, a Palestinian mob stormed the tomb and set it ablaze. A Border Police officer, wounded by gunfire, tragically bled to death after security forces were unable to reach him. The site has since been vandalized and rebuilt multiple times, most recently after rioters torched it in 2015.

Despite these challenges, Jewish pilgrims have continued to visit the tomb under military protection, often arriving in the dead of night. The new policy changes that reality, opening the doors to a more spiritual and peaceful experience for thousands who view the site as one of the most sacred in Jewish history.

Joseph, a central figure in the Torah, is revered for his leadership, resilience, and unwavering faith. His final resting place has remained a symbol of Jewish heritage and continuity for generations.

This step reflects Israel’s enduring commitment to religious freedom even in contested areas and to safeguarding Jewish access to sites that are integral to the nation's spiritual and historical identity.

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