Protestors face down Israeli soldiers manning the new Bethlehem checkpoint Friday Dec 30 2005 during a peaceful nonviolent protest involving 450 Palestinians and foreigners. The protest was led by Palestinians Sheikh Tayser Rajab Bayoud Tamimi and Priest Jacob Abu Sa'ada, and came at the end of a four day international conference on nonviolence held in Bethlehem Dec 27-30 2005. Sheikh Tamimi is the Head of the High Legal Court and the Head of the Supreme Council for Religious Adjudication in Palestine. Priest Abu Sa'ada is the Melkite Priest for Bethlehem. The role of religion in nonviolent Palestinian resistance was a prominent theme.