In commemoration of 23 years since the fall of Benjamin Herling, today (Thursday) dozens of worshipers recited psalms at the place where he fell.
During the morning, dozens of residents from a number of communities in Samaria attended morning prayer at the site of the Joshua's Altar on Mount Ebal, which is currently under threat of demolition by the Palestinian Authority. "The time has come to return the Jewish presence to Mount Ebal."
The prayer event, which has been held at the site for Wednesdays in a row, was held against the background of the Palestinian Authority's intention to build a residential neighborhood on the remains of the historical site - something that could lead to its destruction.
Rabbi Herling fell on Mount Ebal while leading a tour of Jewish travelers there. During the tour, heavy fire was opened at them from dozens of weapons from the direction of the city of Nablus. Rabbi Herling, who was armed with a small short-range weapon, refused to raise his hands and with supreme bravery managed to defend the members of the group for hours until he fell from the enemy's bullets.
A few moments before the murderers opened fire on them, Rabbi Herling had time to read together with the members of the group the fifth chapter of the Psalms at the point overlooking Joseph's tomb that was abandoned that year and cried out to God about the Israelites being abandoned by their enemies. This morning, they returned to the point where he fell, dozens of residents from Samaria, and read together the psalm of the Psalms that Rabbi Herling recited before his death.
Benayahu Mellet, a member of the 'Fight for every acre' (Mavakalkoldunam) Forum which closely follows the Palestinian Authority's attempts to take over Mount Ebal, said this morning: "We have witnessed in recent years, and especially in recent times, increasing attempts by the Palestinian Authority to take control of the Ebal ridge and the historical site of Joshua's Altar. The Arab establishment in the ridge is a direct result of the absence of the Jewish presence there, which began after the evacuation of the Jewish farm that stood at the top of the mountain about 3 years ago."
"The time has come to restore the Jewish presence on the ridge, and to immediately establish a permanent settlement point there that will ensure Jewish control of the mountain and the safety of the altar, and will eventually become a thriving permanent settlement based on the mountain, which is one of the strategic points in our region," Mellet said.