The IDF thinned out some of its forces in Shechem last night, and re-deployed more intensively around the city. Joseph\'s Tomb is still officially out of bounds for Jews, however, as Prime Minister Sharon yesterday rejected requests by the National Religious Party ministers and Education Minister Limor Livnat to allow Jewish worship at the holy site. Several groups have made their clandestine way there over the past week, and about 30 Breslover Hassidim and local residents were arrested in the process of doing so yesterday. MKs Hendel and Ariel (National Union) called upon the government to allow Jews to visit the site, but expressed reservations about private initiatives to do so. Shechem Region Commander Col. Yossi Adiri said that every Jew who enters the site is taking a chance of being abducted or murdered, and that that is why he shot at the wheels of cars trying to enter the area.
MK Sha\'ul Yahalom (National Religious Party) was asked how he explains Sharon\'s refusal to allow Jews to enter Joseph\'s Tomb. He said,
\"The NRP government ministers are trying to garner a majority for our position [in favor of keeping Joseph\'s Tomb open], but so far they have not succeeded. I believe that Prime Minister Sharon is making a major mistake - both because of the sanctity of the holy site, and because of the symbolic nature of our retreat from there 18 months ago: We had an agreement with the PA [enabling us to remain there], which they violated by attacking our forces. This led not only to our abandonment of the holy site, but also to the cruel death of the Druze soldier Madhat Yusuf… For these reasons, we must not allow them to believe that might makes right…\"
Asked about the government-ordered withdrawals from other towns, Yahalom said,
\"The IDF presence there is being replaced by encirclements and closures there. If this works, then fine… Our contribution to the government is to ensure that the war against terrorism continues with determination. This means ensuring that our encirclements around the PA-controlled cities suffice to contain the suicide terrorists and the re-building of the bomb factories; I have been told that this is in fact the case, but we have to make sure that this continues…\"
MK Sha\'ul Yahalom (National Religious Party) was asked how he explains Sharon\'s refusal to allow Jews to enter Joseph\'s Tomb. He said,
\"The NRP government ministers are trying to garner a majority for our position [in favor of keeping Joseph\'s Tomb open], but so far they have not succeeded. I believe that Prime Minister Sharon is making a major mistake - both because of the sanctity of the holy site, and because of the symbolic nature of our retreat from there 18 months ago: We had an agreement with the PA [enabling us to remain there], which they violated by attacking our forces. This led not only to our abandonment of the holy site, but also to the cruel death of the Druze soldier Madhat Yusuf… For these reasons, we must not allow them to believe that might makes right…\"
Asked about the government-ordered withdrawals from other towns, Yahalom said,
\"The IDF presence there is being replaced by encirclements and closures there. If this works, then fine… Our contribution to the government is to ensure that the war against terrorism continues with determination. This means ensuring that our encirclements around the PA-controlled cities suffice to contain the suicide terrorists and the re-building of the bomb factories; I have been told that this is in fact the case, but we have to make sure that this continues…\"