Three Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a Christmas tree at a Catholic Church in the Israeli-occupied West Bank

Palestinian Authority police say arson was attempt to incite sectarian and religious tensions; Holy Redeemer Church of Jenin hastily finds replacement in time for Christmas Mass

Three Palestinians arrested for setting fire to a Christmas tree at a Catholic church in Jenin, West Bank.

Three Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a Christmas tree and damaging part of a Nativity scene at a Catholic Church in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian Authority police said. Police said they seized tools from the suspects that they believe were used in the attack, and condemned the apparent attempt to incite sectarian and religious tensions in the West Bank. The Holy Redeemer Church of Jenin posted photos on social media of the arson, showing the skeleton of a synthetic Christmas tree that had been gutted of the green plastic branches, with red and gold ornaments strewn across the courtyard.

Three Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a Christmas tree and damaging a Nativity scene at a Catholic Church in the West Bank city of Jenin.