The IDF gave permission Monday night for Jews to visit the tomb of the Biblical patriarch Joseph (Kever Yosef) in Shechem. The visit was organized by the Samaria Regional Council and by the Shechem Echad organization.

Worshipers lit six Chanukah candles and said prayers.

Jews were allowed to visit the holy site in honor of the Chanukah holiday. While Jews were officially granted access to Jewish holy sites in Judea and Samaria under agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, in practice, access to many holy sites has been sporadic due to the risk of violent attack. (© IsraelNN Syndications 12/07/10)