A video posted on the Asira a-Shamalia municipality's Facebook page shows heavy Palestinian Authority tools biting into the ancient terraces surrounding the ritual compound.
The acts of destruction at the altar of Joshua
Photography:
Asira a-Shmaliyah's Facebook
The Palestinian Authority hit the site of the Joshua Altar on Mount Ebal near Nablus in Samaria, according to a video posted by the Asira a-Shamalia municipality on its Facebook page.
Following a dialogue last week between the Civil Administration and the Palestinians and a tour of the place, the Palestinians stopped the destruction operations a few days ago.
In a video posted on the municipality's Facebook page, heavy Palestinian Authority tools are seen biting into the ancient terraces surrounding the ritual compound and the altar.
This is part of work to pave a new road that is intended to connect the village of Asira a-Shamalia to the city of Nablus and which passes near the ritual site.
To do this, the authority used the terrace stones to pave the road.
The construction of a road by the PA does not require the consent or approval of the Civil Administration, as this is Area B which is under the civil authority of the Palestinian Authority, and the video shows that damage was definitely caused around the ancient site. To be used as a substrate for the paved road.
The site of the altar of Joshua was identified in the 1980s by the late Prof. Adam Zertel as one that served as a central part of the blessing and cursing described in the Book of Deuteronomy and a site for sacrificial offerings mentioned in the book of Joshua.