In a move described as both historic and unprecedented, 62 Israeli government ministers and Knesset members—including most of the Security Cabinet—have signed a formal appeal demanding the immediate return of a permanent Jewish presence to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem.
The joint statement comes exactly 25 years after Israel’s withdrawal from the site following the outbreak of the Second Intifada in October 2000 and asserts that Israel has a moral and historical duty to restore access and sovereignty over the compound.
“Joseph’s Tomb is one of the most significant historical and spiritual sites for the Jewish people,” the statement read. “Its abandonment led to an escalation in terrorism and ultimately sparked the Second Intifada. This mistake must be corrected. Leaving the site to terrorist control was a historic stain. It’s time for Israel to take responsibility.”
The IDF Central Command is expected to present a concrete plan to reinstate a Jewish presence at the tomb.
The momentum to reclaim both Jewish land and presence at historical sites gains traction. We applaud Israel’s Knesset members who stood their ground on this issue. Now is the time to seize the opportunities to right many wrongs and return to Israel what is rightfully and legally hers.