| Ariel | |||
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| Hebrew transcription(s) | |||
| • Hebrew | אֲרִיאֵל | ||
| • ISO 259 | ʔariˀel | ||
| Arabic transcription(s) | |||
| • Arabic | اريئيل | ||
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Ariel
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Region | West Bank | ||
| District | Judea and Samaria Area | ||
| Founded | 1978 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | City (from 1998) | ||
| • Mayor | Ron Nachman | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 14,677 dunams (14.7 km2 / 5.7 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2010)[1] | |||
| • Total | 17,700 | ||
| Name meaning | Lion of God | ||
Ariel (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל; Arabic: اريئيل) is an Israeli settlement city in the West Bank. Ariel was established in 1978. Its population at the end of 2009 was 17,600,[1] including 7,000 immigrants who came to Israel after 1990.[2] It is the fourth largest Jewish settlement city in the West Bank.,[3] after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, and Ma'ale Adumim.
In Hebrew, Ariel (pronounced Ari'el), literally means 'Lion of God'. "Ari" (Lion) in Hebrew is also a synonym for bravery and courage and it is also the symbol of the tribe of Judah. Ariel in the Hebrew Bible is one of the names for Jerusalem and the Temple of Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1-8). In July 2009, the city council approved the mayor's proposal to name the city after former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The final decision is ultimately made by the Israeli government's 'Name Committee'.[4]
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[5]
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At the beginning of 1978, a group of Israelis formed in order find a location in the hills of the northern part of the West Bank to create a new residential area. The group made a formal request to the government to be given land to build a new community and were given three options by the army; the area near the 'lone tree' which would later become Barkan, the area which would later become Kfar Tapuach, and a hill near Kifl Hares that was known to the local Arabs as ' Jabel Mawat', the hill of death, because of inhospitable terrain.[6]
The leader of this group, Ron Nachman, chose the spot because of its strategic location on a possible Jordanian invasion route towards Israel's main population centre of Tel Aviv. In the spring of 1978, some of the group's men erected tents on the chosen hilltop, and in August 1978, a total of forty families came to live.
The original members of the group had gone through a screening process in order to put together a proper quality mix of skilled adults as well as young families that would be prepared psychologically to withstand starting a new settlement from scratch with little infrastructure and modern comforts. There were no paved roads or paths. Water was supplied periodically by a tanker truck. Electricity was provided by a generator since no electrical network existed in that area. Tents were replaced by prefabricated concrete blocks which served as living quarters, schools, and an infirmary. On September 1, 1978 the school year was officially opened.
As the community grew, a more heterogeneous mix of people joined the group including traditional Jews, as well as religious Jews, though the city has kept its predominantly secular nature. The city now includes fourteen synagogues of various ethnic divisions of Orthodox Judaism.
The city has several shopping centres, two different industrial zones (divided into light and heavy industry), a library, and sports clubs.
In July 2008, Israel approved the construction of 27 new factories in Ariel, which were expected to be completed by September 2009.[7]
Like other settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories, Ariel is considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.[8] A series of Israeli governments has insisted that Ariel be included within Israel's future borders under any future peace treaty.[9] The Israeli Ministry of the Interior gave the municipality of Ariel the status of a city council in 1998. In January 2010, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by leading figures in his governing coalition, declared Ariel the "capital of Samaria", and an integral part of Israel.[3] In December 2010, thirty-five MKs petitioned the government to annex Ariel to Israel.[10] Palestinian representatives have opposed the incorporation of Ariel into Israel in any future settlement, arguing that the Ariel 'finger' would interrupt the territorial integrity of a Palestinian state and includes a major aquifer. Ariel's future is thus not clear: "as well as an obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, it could also serve as a crucial trade-off for negotiators hammering out a final deal."[9]
Ariel is situated about 17 kilometres (11 mi) east of the Green Line and 34 kilometres (21 mi) west of the Jordan River, Jordan's western border. Ariel is adjacent to the Palestinian Authority town of Salfit and southwest of Nablus. It is approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Petah Tikva, and 42 kilometres (26 mi) East of Tel Aviv to which it is connected by the Highway 5 and 60 kilometres (37 mi) northwest of Jerusalem, to which it is connected by Highway 60.
Ariel's jurisdiction spans 14,677 dunams (14.677 km2; 5.667 sq mi),[11] and borders the Palestinian towns and villages Salfit, Marda and Iskaka.
Ariel is home to the Ariel University Center of Samaria, founded in 1982. Current enrollment is 12,000, consisting of both Jewish and Arab students. In 2005, the Israeli government voted to support upgrading the College to university status. The change of status was not immediate since the decision only allowed the college to apply for revision by the Council for Higher Education in Israel which must ultimately approve any change. University status is an issue of prestige, increased government funding, as well as the ability to open post-graduate studies (which are already offered at the college) and issue doctorate degrees. Formerly called the 'Academic College of Judea and Samaria', it changed its name in August 2007 in the interim period and anticipation of achieving the more prestigious 'university' status.
The state-funded Ariel Center for the Performing Arts opened on November 8, 2010 with a performance of Piaf by the Beersheba Theater company.[12] These performances are being boycotted by sixty of Israel's most prominent actors, writers, and directors, including Joshua Sobol, who refuse to perform in settlements because it would "strengthen the settlement enterprise". A number of Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Culture Minister Limor Livnat and the leader of the centrist Kadima Party Tzipi Livni condemned the boycott and called for the authorities to cut government funding to the artists participating in the boycott.[13][14] The boycott was supported by other Israeli artists such as Amos Oz, David Grossman, and A. B. Yehoshua,[15] but opposed by others, such as left-wing journalist Amnon Shamosh, who suggested that the boycott plays into the hands of right-wing extremists, by linking art and politics.[16] 150 U.S. actors have supported the boycott in an open letter.[17] However, five Israeli actors later withdraw from the boycott, indicating that they either changed their mind or had thought the letter they were signing called for a discussion on the issue, rather than outright boycott.[18]
The Israeli West Bank barrier was originally planned to extend out from the Israeli border to Ariel, but challenges before the Israeli Supreme Court and international pressure have stopped it for now. Instead, Ariel has its own security fence surrounding it on three sides.[19]
Ariel is twinned with:
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