RAMALLAH SANCTUARY

Modern Ramallah was founded in the mid-16th century by the Haddadins, a Jordanian tribe of brothers descended from Ghassanid Christian Arabs. They are said to have moved to this high mountain area to escape conflict with Moslem tribes closer to the Jordan valley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramallah

The Christian origin of Ramallah introduced a human dynamic that shapes the City and Palestinian politics to this day. Christian social and cultural links led to emigration to America in centuries past and resulted in links to American churches which have made a significant contribution to the education and advancement of Ramallah citizenry. 

 http://www.ramallahquakers.org/index.html

The Christian and western cultural history - mostly in the western downtown area - results in women pedestrians being allowed, for the time being, to wear European fashions without the harassment and abuse normally required in Islamic Arab society.

A landmark feature of Ramallah is the "Fountain with Lions" in the center of town. 

  The lions are a fairly recent feature and were sculpted in China. An apparent glich in communication with the Chinese supplier resulted in one of the lions having a wristwatch carved onto its leg.

 

 A more complete description of the lions is provided in this link.

http://www.jkcook.net/Articles1/0096.htm

 Ramallah is increasingly referred to as the defacto capital of Palestine – since Palestinian Authority government buildings are located here. The flourishing economy is driven by donor aid, government revenue and external remittances – which is, apparently - no less sustainable than other economies in the region. There are good restaurants and stores sell fine wines and alcohols such as the famous “Golden Arak of Ramallah” (an anise based liquor – like Ouzo). The standard of the retail shops reflect a higher standard than is typical in the West Bank.

Down town traffic is typically thick   . . . . .  

 

 . . . . . . and the shop selling delicious and fresh falafel sandwiches on Arafat Square (4 shekels each - about a $1.10), almost never closes.

 

At almost 900 metres, Ramallah is slightly higher and colder than Jerusalem – which is located about 10 kilometres to the south. Cold winds and heavy snowfall have been common in the past – but has been less common in recent years.