Bomb Planted At Entrance To Hebron’s Tomb Of The Patriarchs
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A bomb was found planted at an entrance to the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
The improvised explosive device, which was made up of two small gas canisters, was blown up by police sappers in a controlled explosion on Sunday evening. It was discovered near an entrance used by the Muslim community.
The site, which is holy to both Jews and Muslims, and the roads around it, were closed to visitors and other traffic during the incident.
The site has areas of worship specifically for Jews and areas of worship specifically for Muslims. During the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which ends later this week, access to the entire building is permitted only to Muslims on Fridays.
“In the area of the tomb, there is unique coexistence that the security forces, including border police, protect with the goal of allowing freedom of worship and religion to both Jews and Muslims at the Tomb of the Patriarchs,” police said in a statement after the device was neutralized.
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
