IDF soldiers and policemen entered the city of Kiryat Arba, near Hevron, on Saturday and sealed off the grave of Baruch Goldstein. The grave was apparently closed in order to prevent memorial ceremonies at the site.

Goldstein, an American-born resident of Kiryat Arba, entered the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hevron on Purim of 1994 and began shooting at Muslims. According to the Palestinian Authority, 29 people were killed and more than a hundred were wounded. Goldstein was captured by PA Arabs and killed immediately.

PA officials say Goldstein murdered innocent worshipers. However, many believe Goldstein acted to thwart an imminent Muslim pogrom, and some have marked the anniversary of the incident at his grave in previous years.

Residents of Kiryat Arba expressed anger Saturday night at the decision to seal off the grave before the Sabbath had ended. By doing so, police desecrated the Sabbath unnecessarily, and created a public disturbance, they charged.

Arab residents of Hevron, adjacent to Kiryat Arba, continued to riot on Friday and attacked Israeli soldiers. Arab residents of the area began frequent riots last week, allegedly in response to Israel's decision to include the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hevron on a list of national heritage sites.

The traditional "Adloyada" Purim parade is to take place in Hevron this morning as planned, with police preventing Arabs from approaching the vicinity of the festivity.