For the First Time in 25 Years, Jews Daven Shacharis at Kever Yosef at Neitz

Hundreds of mispallelim davened Shacharis at Kever Yosef in Shechem early this morning, marking the first daylight davening at the site in 25 years, since the IDF withdrew from the compound and transferred responsibility to the Palestinian Authority.

The historic tefillah followed an overnight entry by hundreds of mispallelim into the Kever Yosef complex, part of the regular, coordinated visits organized by the Shomron Regional Council with IDF escort and full military authorization.

The move to allow davening in daylight is part of a broader, structured plan being advanced by Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and MK Tzvi Sukkot, together with Rav Dudu Ben Natan, the father of IDF soldier Shoval Ben Natan hy”d, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon and had been active in efforts to restore Jewish access to the site.

The Shomron Regional Council emphasized that the initiative’s goal is to enable a permanent Jewish return to Kever Yosef and to restore the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva to the compound. According to the council, the plan was formulated in coordination with additional partners and is based on a gradual series of steps designed to reestablish a continuous Jewish presence at the makom kadosh.

Yossi Dagan described the event as a milestone moment. “This morning is a morning of historic correction. After years of entering under cover of darkness like thieves in the night, we are returning home with our heads held high and in full daylight. Kever Yosef is an important symbol, and the move to enter in daylight is a significant step within our work plan to establish a permanent and full foothold at the site.

“We will not stop until the Israeli flag is flown here on a permanent basis and the ‘Od Yosef Chai’ yeshiva returns to its place. Am Yisrael is returning to the Shomron, Am Yisrael is returning to its land.”

MK Tzvi Sukkot also hailed the development, saying: “We merited an important step forward with the fulfillment of Shacharis davening and entry to Kever Yosef in daylight. This is the beginning of a significant and historic correction, and we will continue to act until full Jewish presence is restored at Kever Yosef.”

{Matzav.com}