Bad is a name in this case, not an adjective.

The Palestinian side of the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. 

The Israeli side of the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. 

Ramallah
West Bank

May 20

Ramallah is the de facto capital of the Palestinian Territories. Located just north of Jerusalem, it is also one of the most important cities for the Palestinian economy. I visited with some friends on Saturday, and met up with a couple of Palestinains, one of who I met in Bil'in (see March pictures). The two of them, Nasiir and Faadi, gave us a short tour of the city.

The map at left shows Ramallah in red, with Jerusalem to the south.

A busy street outside the Ramallah bus station. 

We ate lunch at the Diamond Restaurant in downtown Ramallah. Nicer than many restaurants in Jerusalem, it had extremely comfortable leather seats. 

Ann and Nasiir at the Diamond Restaurant in downtown Ramallah. 

Construction at Yasir Arafat's grave. Arafat was the iconic leader of the Palestinian people from the 1960's until he died in November 2004. The grave and future monument are within the greater compound called the Muqata. The Muqata has served as Arafat's office and center of the Palestinian Administration since the mid-1990's.

A Palestinian police officer, who once lived in St. Louis and knows excellent English guarded Arafat's grave and spoke to us about the compound. 

The future Arafat Mousoleum. 

Area next to the future Arafat Mousoleum. 

Palestinian policemen exercising on the Muqata grounds. The picture above the sign is that of current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).

The two Mercedes cars center once belonged to Arafat. Since he died, no one has driven them, but they are cleaned and started once a week. 

Arafat's helipad. 

A picture of Arafat on the inner wall of his compound, the Muqata. 

Eiffel Tower antenna. 

Ramallah. 

Upper-class Palestinian home. 

Jonah and Ari overlooking Ramallah. 

A kindergarten.

Ann and Nasiir. 

Posters from the Palestinian Parlimentary elections in January. 

A wall mural made of stone. 

This town mostly supports Fatah, the party of the late Yasir Arafat and current President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). However, some support Hamas, represented by the green flags. 

The terraces on these hills outside of Ramallah, and in the entire Judean region for that matter, were constructed during the biblical period three millenia ago.

From left: Ann, Nasiir, myself, Jonah, Faadi, Ari. Shira took the photograph.