Controversy over the Mount Ebal cultic site

ARCHAEOLOGY AND POLITICS: Settlers take on West Bank archaeology as ancient ‘Joshua’ wall tumbles down. Destruction of barrier at Iron Age Israelite cultic site deep in PA-controlled Area B creates media maelstrom, as right-wing campaign claims Palestinians destroying heritage sites (Amanda Borschel-Dan, Times of Israel). A long and characteristically thorough article.

At the Jerusalem Post, Tovah Lazaroff also covers the current situation regarding the site: Joshua’s forgotten biblical altar is now at the heart of a land battle. Israel must find a way to protect and preserve the area as an archaeological park.

Background on the recent damage to the site and the resulting political fallout is here and here.

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