Around 1,500 Israeli Jews prayed at a contested tomb in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday morning, and a settler leader hailed an "important step" towards establishing Israeli sovereignty over the site. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThursday's prayer was exceptional as worshippers performed the Jewish morning service known as the Shacharit, which is celebrated after sunrise. - Dawn prayer -Since the Israeli military vacated the site in 2000, Jewish pilgrims can only visit in groups escorted by troops. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and Israeli settlements there are considered illegal under international law. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementAn Israeli military spokesperson told AFP that "all was done according to the orders of the political echelon, not an army initiative."