Dozens of Breslov Hasidim Enter Joshua's Tomb in West Bank Village, Five Arrested

Around 100 Breslov Hasidim entered the Palestinian village of Kifl Haris in the West Bank overnight between Monday and Tuesday to visit the tomb of Joshua ben Nun. The visit led to clashes with local residents, resulting in damage to Palestinian vehicles and stones scattered around the site. Israeli police received a report of the incident around 3:00 a.m. and dispatched IDF forces, Border Police, and Ariel police station officers to the scene, but the group had already left upon their arrival.

Police investigations quickly identified several suspects, leading to the arrest of five Jerusalem residents aged 16 to 20 near the Hizma checkpoint. They were taken in for questioning as the police continue to investigate the full circumstances of the event. Kifl Haris is known among the ultra-Orthodox community as the burial site of Joshua ben Nun, attracting thousands of pilgrims annually on his yahrzeit, accompanied by heavy security measures including a nighttime curfew and restricted movement for local residents during the event.

The incident is considered unusual given the typically controlled and secured nature of visits to the tomb, highlighting tensions between visiting groups and the local Palestinian population in the area.