The Israeli military removed dozens of Jewish worshippers yesterday who clashed with Palestinians after illegally entering a biblical shrine in the West Bank that was recently torched by Palestinians. The military said some 30 Jews descended upon the Joseph’s Tomb compound in Nablus, a site revered by Jews as the tomb of the biblical figure Joseph. The area is under full Palestinian control but Jewish prayer is permitted there when coordinated with authorities. The military said yesterday’s visit was not, and the worshippers had no permit. When they arrived they were confronted by Palestinians and a violent clash ensued. In consultation with Palestinian security forces, the military extracted the worshippers. One of them was lightly wounded and five were taken for police questioning. On Friday, Palestinian assailants firebombed the West Bank compound, the first assault on a religious site.
Egypt – Voting for new parliament begins
Egypt’s first parliamentary election since the 2013 ouster of an Islamist president and the election a year later of the army general who removed him began yesterday, with the outcome likely to be a compliant legislature that will back, rather than challenge, the policies of soldier-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. El-Sissi, who as military chief led the ouster of Mohammed Morsi, has since taking office 16 months ago waged a campaign to revive the country’s ailing economy, fight an Islamic insurgency and assume a greater role in a turbulent Middle East — all while silencing opposition at home. The 60-year-old el-Sissi has spoken vaguely of his democratic convictions, preferring instead to focus on security and economic challenges.
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