Jerusalem - A Catholic Church official in Israel says a Christian cemetery has been desecrated, with graves damaged and crosses smashed.

Wadie Abunassar said about 20 gravestones at the cemetery in Kufr Birim in northern Israel were found vandalised early on Wednesday.

He said some were shattered, with pieces of stone strewn about.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Thursday that police have opened an investigation.