Only Israel can protect Jerusalem holy places, Foreign Ministry says

Foreign Minister Director General Dore Gold says last night’s torching of Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus by Palestinian rioters proves that “only Israel can protect the holy places of all religions in Jerusalem.”

“The Palestinian attack on Joseph’s Tomb recalls the actions of extremist Muslim groups from Afghanistan to Libya,” he says in a statement.

“Israel condemns in no uncertain terms the harm to Joseph’s Tomb committed for the sole reason that it is a place where Jews pray. The torching of Joseph’s Tomb clearly demonstrates what would happen to the holy places in Jerusalem if they were placed in the hands of the Palestinian leadership.”