What intifada? Night life in Ramallah continues, minus the dancing

Published: 2004-07-22

RAMALLAH, West Bank (CNS) -- Business is brisk at Rukab's Ice Cream Parlor, with children clamoring for cones and friends sitting for bowls of ice cream after an early evening shopping spree. Outside, Arabic dance music blares from car radios and music stores as fashionably dressed young people stroll down the main drag alongside families with baby carriages and women wearing traditional head scarves. All seem oblivious to the fact that a short while ago the street was a war zone between Israelis and Palestinians. Quite a bit of American-accented English can be heard, attesting to the large number of immigrants either living in the city or spending the summer visiting family. "We just went out walking, seeing friends," said Nellie Ibrahim, 18, of Anaheim, Calif., who was visiting family in Ramallah. She was eating ice cream with her two sisters after shopping at the nearby upscale stores. "I love it here for vacation. Everyone speaks my language, and I feel like I am from the same people."

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