Although thousands of people gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas, local officials had hoped the turnout would be greater. Israeli tourism officials predicted about 16,000 would visit Bethlehem on Christmas. Manger Square was decked out in neon lights and marching bands punctuated the crowds on Christmas Eve. Religious ceremonies were presided over by Michel ‘Sabbah, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. ‘Sabbah is the highest-ranking Roman Catholic cleric in Israel and the Palestinian Authority and is himself a Palestinian. He entered Bethlehem from Jerusalem via the controversial Israeli security barrier, which became the focal-point for many as the symbol of the continued conflict in the Holy Land. But ‘Sabbah also admonished Palestinians who are engaged in factional fighting. In his Christmas Day address, the patriarch called on Palestinians to "put your weapons down and return to talking… Shooting between brothers is not the road to freedom."