Palestinian extremists suspected of torching Christmas tree outside Jenin church

A Christmas tree and nativity scene were burned down in a pre-dawn attack on Monday outside the Holy Redeemer Church in the Palestinian city of Jenin, according to the Latin Catholic church.

In a social media post, the pastor of the church, Father Amer Jubran, condemned the 3:00 a.m. arson attack as a “shameful and reprehensible act perpetrated by outlaws” which, he said, did not reflect Muslim-Christian relations among Palestinians.

“Such isolated acts do not reflect the values and morals of the people of Jenin, and do not undermine the city’s deeply rooted national and human unity,” he wrote.

Church leaders met with Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub and other Palestinian Authority officials following the attack.

No arrests or injuries were reported.

Jenin has long been notorious as a hotbed of Islamic extremism.

According to a statement released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, under the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority there is growing hostility toward Christians.

“Attacks on Christians, their sites and symbols are unacceptable at all times,” the MFA wrote on X. “Even more so, as we approach Christmas this week.”