Gravestone set on previously desecrated ancient Maccabean burial site

The burial site, near Jericho, was desecrated last year when grave robbers dug into the site leaving human bones scattered and in the open.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated: DECEMBER 19, 2020 10:55
The Hasmonean burial caves that were reportedly looted by local Arabs from Jericho. (photo credit: YEDIDYA NEEMAN)
The Hasmonean burial caves that were reportedly looted by local Arabs from Jericho.
(photo credit: YEDIDYA NEEMAN)
A gravestone was set on a desecrated and restored Maccabean burial site in a ceremony on Monday, the fifth night of Hanukkah, the Regavim NGO announced on Facebook.
The ceremony was attended by Religious Services Minister Ya’akov Avitan who posted pictures from the ceremony on Facebook. "I would like to especially thank the head of the Binyamin Regional Council Israel Gantz and all who helped with this holy work," said Avitan.
 

אחיי ורעיי, הֲתִחְיֶינָה הָעֲצָמוֹת הָאֵלֶּה השתתפתי היום בהקמת מצבה מיוחדת לעצמות יהודים מתקופת בית שני המיוחסים לתקופת...

Posted by ‎הרב יעקב אביטן‎ on Monday, 14 December 2020
The burial site, near Jericho, was desecrated last year when grave robbers dug into the site leaving human bones scattered and in the open, according to Regavim. The site was robbed after local construction left it exposed and after hikers happen on the looted site, it was restored last year.

The burial site from the time of the Second Temple, according to Regavim.
Regavim is a Zionist movement founded in order to lead the setting of a Jewish, Zionist agenda for Israel on the topic of land, according to the organization's website. The NGO seeks to guard the land of the Jewish people and its "natural treasures and views of the land of Israel and to prevent the take over by foreign elements of these resources."


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