Israeli man vandalises entrance to Palestinian Christian village ahead of Christmas

An Israeli man has vandalised the entrance to a Palestinian Christian village in the Galilee, just days before the Christmas holiday. 

According to the Shams Radio website, the man defaced the Virgin Mary statue at the entrance of the village of Fassouta on Friday, damaging its glass casing and other decorations around it. 

The suspect, who was described as a "religious Jewish man" by locals, was caught by a young man from Fassouta and handed over to Israeli police in the city of Maalot-Tarshiha. 

Shams Radio spoke to Father Michael Assi, the priest of the Fassouta parish, who confirmed that the attack happened in the early hours of Friday morning.

"We condemn this provocative action, especially as it comes ahead of Christmas," Assi told the news outlet. 

Read more: Israeli man vandalises entrance to Palestinian Christian village ahead of Christmas