The IDF announced that a reservist who was documented praying at the tomb of Eleazar son of Aaron the Priest in the village of Awarta, in Area B near Itamar, will be investigated and face disciplinary action. At the time, dozens of worshippers had entered the site to recite Selichot prayers.
According to a report by Galai Tzahal (IDF Radio), the soldier is expected to undergo a review by the brigade commander and face disciplinary measures over the incident. The IDF acknowledged that since the beginning of the Selichot period, dozens of worshippers have been entering the tombs of biblical figures located in Area B.
The IDF added that it is not currently taking action to stop the phenomenon due to more urgent missions in the sector. The decision to punish the reservist drew sharp criticism from hilltop activists.
Activist Ariel Danino argued that Jews have been entering Area B for many years. “For more than 20 years, residents have been entering Area B every day without coordination. It happens every day. Members of Knesset and government ministers drive home through Area B," he wrote.
Danino also cited the Gilad Route, which passes through Area B and serves as a major road in Samaria. “Stop selling people the illusion that Area B is beyond the mountains of darkness and that Jews are forbidden from entering it," he wrote.
According to Danino, if the IDF wants every entry into Area B to be coordinated with it, that would result in large numbers of requests from local residents. “If the IDF wants every entry into Area B coordinated with it, great. They’ll start getting 800 phone calls a day from civilians who want to drive from Har Bracha to Kedumim," he added.
Elisha Yered also criticized the way the incident was being portrayed, stressing: “This was not ‘in a Palestinian village,’ but at the tomb of Eleazar son of Aaron the Priest near Itamar - a holy site where Jews have been praying for many years."
Yered argued that there is no legal prohibition against simply being present in Area B and that Jews have the right to visit the tombs of righteous figures.
“What kind of disgrace is this, and why is this even newsworthy?!" he wrote.