Palestinian Authority police have arrested three individuals suspected of setting fire to a Christmas tree and damaging a Nativity scene at a Catholic church in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Details of the Jenin Church Attack
The incident occurred at the Holy Redeemer Church in the city of Jenin. Police stated the arrests were made late on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, after officers reviewed surveillance footage from the area. Authorities also reported seizing tools they believe were used in the attack.
The church itself posted images on social media showing the aftermath. The photos revealed the charred skeleton of a synthetic tree, its green plastic branches completely burned away, with festive red and gold ornaments scattered across the courtyard. The church confirmed the attack took place around 3 a.m. on Monday, 22 December.
Community Response and Swift Recovery
In a powerful display of resilience, the congregation cleaned the damaged area and erected a new Christmas tree in time for Christmas Mass. A special ceremony was held, attended by local Muslim and Christian leaders alongside politicians, to underscore communal solidarity.
Reverend Amer Jubran, the local priest, emphasised that the torching was an isolated event. The church released a statement saying, "This occasion reaffirmed that attempts to harm religious symbols will never diminish the spirit of the city nor the faith of its people."
Broader Context of Tensions
This act of vandalism occurs against a backdrop of heightened strain for the Christian community in the region. Christians constitute only 1% to 2% of the West Bank's approximately 3 million residents, with the vast majority being Muslim. This tiny community faces pressure from multiple sides, including extremist elements among both Israeli settlers and Palestinians, leading many to emigrate.
The wider Middle East has seen a steady decline in its Christian population due to conflict and attacks. While Israel's founding declaration pledges to safeguard holy places, church authorities have noted a recent increase in anti-Christian sentiment, particularly in Jerusalem's Old City.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has also triggered a surge of violence in the West Bank, with large-scale Israeli military operations, settler violence, and Palestinian attacks contributing to a volatile atmosphere. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 war, and the Palestinian Authority maintains limited autonomy in areas like Jenin, which is known as a militant stronghold.
Palestinian police condemned the church attack as an apparent attempt to incite sectarian and religious tensions within the region.
