RAMALLAH: Palestinian security forces say they arrested two suspected Islamic radicals in the burning of a Christmas tree in the northern West Bank.

A Palestinian security officer said Friday the suspects set fire Wednesday to the tree in Zababdeh, a Christian majority village near Jenin. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he isn't authorised to speak to reporters.

He says both suspects are under investigation for possible ties to extremist Islamist groups. He also says Palestinian security forces arrested about a dozen radical Islamists on Wednesday in Bethlehem.

Christians make up about 2 percent of the West Bank population.

Palestinian assailants attacked Israelis in three West Bank incidents Thursday as visitors flocked to Bethlehem for a subdued Christmas Eve. The attackers were shot and killed by Israeli security forces.