Sanctifying Occupation: Settlers Use 'Prayer' as a Weapon in Nablus
📰 THE STORY: Israeli settlers, under military protection, entered Palestinian Nablus to pray at Joseph’s Tomb, a site the New Arab describes as being under Palestinian control but frequently accessed by settlers under agreement. The incident is framed as an 'escalation' given the daylight entry and military backing, highlighting ongoing tensions. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical
Context: Joseph's Tomb is a site of immense spiritual and historical significance to both Palestinians and Jewish people. Crucially, the 1995 Oslo II Accord placed Nablus, including Joseph's Tomb, under full Palestinian Authority control (Area A). Yet, settler incursions, often violent and military-escorted, have been a recurring feature, consistently violating these agreements. This isn't just
'access'; it's a systematic erosion of Palestinian sovereignty agreed upon internationally. This pattern mirrors the broader settler strategy seen since the 1967 occupation, where religious claims are weaponized to justify illegal settlements and annexation, contravening international law which considers all settlements in the West Bank illegal. Double Standard: Imagine armed Palestinian
worshippers, under military escort, breaching an Israeli-controlled religious site inside Israel, disrupting daily life and imposing their presence. The global media reaction would be immediate, universal condemnation and cries of 'terrorism.' Yet, when Israeli settlers do this in occupied Palestinian territory, backed by one of the world's most powerful militaries, it's frequently framed as a