Joseph’s tomb, Jewish holy site, set ablaze as violence continues in Israel

A fire broke out overnight at the compound housing Joseph’s tomb, a religious site venerated by Jews, the Israeli Defense Forces said Friday.

Located in the West Bank city of Nablus, the site is considered to be the final resting place of Joseph, the son of Jacob who, according to the Bible, was sold into slavery by his brothers as a boy and then rose to become the second most powerful figure in Egypt, next to the pharaoh.

Jews visit the tomb under IDF escort at night to pray. Many Christians also consider the site to be holy.

Palestinian forces broke up a crowd and put out the blaze, CNN reported.

Some Palestinians had formed a barricade to prevent Israeli troops from entering Nablus to destroy Palestinian homes when a small group broke off and tried to set fire to the tomb, a Palestinian official told CNN.

Part of the compound burned, but the tomb remained in tact, the official said.

Both Israel and Palestinian authorities condemned the attack, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas forming a committee to investigate the fire.

Mr. Abbas condemned “these kind of acts or any other acts that violate the law and order and offends our culture, religion and morals,” the Palestinian official WAFA news agency reported.

The Israeli government has vowed to restore the tomb compound, which has been the site of previous attacks, and find whoever set it afire.

“IDF will bring perpetrators to justice, restore the site & ensure that freedom of worship returns to Josephs Tomb,” IDF spokesman Peter Lerner tweeted.

The recent spate of violence has led to 42 deaths in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The U.S. — typically supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself — has raised concerns over both sides in the region, accusing both Israel and Palestine of committing acts of terrorism.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will soon travel to Israel and is expected to call for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to dissolve the violence.