Thousands Pray at Joseph's Tomb in Daytime Visit

Thousands of Israelis entered Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday morning for a rare daytime prayer service, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the "Ushpizin" (guests) of Joseph the Righteous. This marks the first time in decades that such a large-scale morning prayer with the "Four Species" has been held at the site during daylight hours.

The initiative to expand visiting hours to include daytime access was led by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, MK Zvi Sukkot, and Rabbi Dudu Ben-Nathan, father of a soldier killed in Lebanon. The effort gained momentum following a decision by Defense Minister Israel Katz to extend the hours. The expanded access is part of a broader plan to establish regular visits to Joseph's Tomb and potentially reinstate the "Od Yosef Chai" yeshiva at the site.

The morning's events included two rounds of entries, facilitated by the Samaria Regional Council, volunteers, and with the approval and escort of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Among the attendees were Dagan, MKs Zvi Sukkot, Erez Malul, and Uriel Boso, as well as senior military and police officials, including Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and IDF Judea and Samaria Division commander Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller.

During the visit, Dagan led a prayer of thanksgiving for the averted hijacking of a passenger plane from Dubai. He emphasized the symbolic significance of the daytime visit during Sukkot and expressed hope for the full return of Jewish presence and the yeshiva to the site. MK Sukkot echoed these sentiments, calling on the Prime Minister to authorize the full return before the upcoming elections.

Rabbi Yossi Elizur, head of the "Od Yosef Chai" yeshiva, stated their readiness to return to the site daily, highlighting Joseph's role in uniting people. The event underscored the ongoing efforts to strengthen Israeli connection to the holy site, which has been a point of contention and security concern.