The sources acknowledged that the Israeli group reached Joseph's Tomb
without permission from either the Army or the PA. A 1995 agreement, which
has largely been ignored, guaranteed Israelis unlimited access to Joseph's
Tomb, regarded as a leading site in Judaism.
"My nephew was killed by a terrorist disguised as a Palestinian
policeman, through no fault of his own, just because he wished to pray,"
Israeli Culture Minister Limor Livnat said. "He was a person who just wanted
to do good."
The killing sparked Jewish unrest in the northern West Bank. Palestinian
motorists were struck by stones near Jewish communities in the area.
The sources said PA police and other security forces have sought to
expand their authority and area of operations in the West Bank. In some
cases, they said, PA officers challenged Israel Army patrols, especially
near Nablus.
The PA has acknowledged the shooting and ordered Military Intelligence
to investigate. Nablus Gov. Jibrin Al Bakri said police officers spotted
three Israeli cars at Joseph's Tomb and fired into
the air. Al Bakri said Israeli soldiers later seized a PA police vehicle on
the scene.