The Christmas tree was set on fire in the Catholic Church in the city for the second time in four days • Suspects have not yet been apprehended • Police: "We will take it seriously"
Just four days after a Christmas tree set on fire in Sakhnin was set on fire, another attempt was made to sabotage a tree in the Catholic Church in the northern city.
Police said in the morning that a complaint was received from the Catholic Church in the city, according to which a Christmas tree placed near the church was set on fire and partially burned.
Israeli police officers arrived at the scene, collected findings and opened an investigation on suspicion of arson.
The police further added that they deal with incidents of harming religious symbols and the feelings of those who believe in severity, and that they will use all the means at their disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Just four days ago, unknown individuals tried to set fire to the tree in the same church, and were able to partially sabotage it.
A security camera recorded the attempted arson of a Christmas tree that was placed in honor of Christmas in the courtyard of a church in Sakhnin.
Complaints of attempted arson to fir trees were received from two churches in the city, one Catholic and the other Orthodox.
A fir tree placed outside each of them was set on fire and partially burned.
An attempt to set fire to the Christmas tree last week
According to the suspicion, unknown individuals arrived around three in the morning at the entrance gate to the Catholic Church in the city and set fire to the Christmas tree that was placed in the place to mark Christmas.
A few hours earlier, a fir tree set up at the entrance to the Greek Orthodox Church in Sakhnin had been set on fire in the same way.
Police officers who arrived at the two arenas, collected findings and opened an investigation on suspicion of arson.
Wadia Abu Nasser, a spokesman for the Bishops' Council in Israel, responded: "This is a hate crime that deserves all condemnation. Complaints have been filed. We call on the police and the defense establishment to investigate the incident, arrest the perpetrators and prosecute them."
Preparatory member Ayman Odeh (joint list) said in response: "Burning the Christmas trees is a heinous act that attacks the Christmas spirit and the spirit of unity and mutual guarantee of Arab society. Our solidarity is stronger than anyone who tries to harm it, rehabilitate the trees and make sure criminals stand trial."
