More than 1,000 Chabad-Lubavitch Hassidim and Eretz Yisrael Shelanu (Our Land of Israel) activists participated over the interim days of the Passover holiday in tours throughout Samaria, in a project aimed at familiarizing Israelis with the region.
The groups toured the hilltop communities of Elon Moreh, Mitzpe Yosef, the observation post near Joseph's Tomb, Har Bracha, the Tura wineries, and Avri Ran's farm.
During the day, renowned Israeli singer Ariel Zilber performed for the tourists, who were also addressed by the head of the Regional Council, Gershon Mesika. Mesika praised Chabad for its many activities in Samaria.
Rabbi Yosef Hartman and representatives of the youth movement of the Eretz Yisrael Shelanu group, including Meir Bretler and Tzvi Sukot, called upon the group to return a Jewish presence to Joseph's Tomb, located near the center of Shechem.
Joseph's Tomb, which was the site of an active yeshiva for some 20 years, was abandoned a few years ago by the Israeli government due to Arab terrorism and international pressure. It has since been repeatedly vandalized by Palestinian Authority Arabs. Loyal Jews make pilgrimages to the site under IDF protection, often almost surreptitiously, despite the fact that the tomb, which is holy to Jews, is supposed to be protected and open to Jews under the Oslo Accords.
Shai Gefen, director of the Eretz Yisrael Shelanu group, described his organization's activities to the Council and thanked Mesika for his efforts. Gefen added that especially in these troubled times, it is important to strengthen Samaria and Zion.
The day's events were organized by Rabbi Moti Markowitz.